SAN ANTONIO – (Jan. 19, 2023) – Prior to the start of the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. March, Fred Brock American Legion Post No. 828 hosted the Inaugural MLK Day Veterans Coffee Social held at the post located on the city’s East Side.

According to Post Commander Burrell Parmer, the purpose of the event was to enhance communication and foster bonds among veterans, active-duty service members, and Guard/ Reserve within Military City USA™.

“The start of the MLK March is exactly one block from our post,” said Parmer, who planned the event within a week. “It was predicted that approximately 200,000 attendees will participate in the march, and with this being Military City USA™, I was confident that there would be hundreds of veterans participating as well.”

Veterans from all services visited the post for coffee and donuts courtesy of H-E-B.

Special guests included Joint Base San Antonio Commander U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Russell Driggers, his spouse, and Command Chief Master Sgt. Casy Boomershine.

Additionally, retired U.S. Marine Maj. Gen. Juan Ayala, head of the City of San Antonio’s Military & Veterans Affairs Office attended along with members of the city’s Veterans Advisory Commission.

Guest appearances were made by two of the San Antonio Brahmas Football Team, defensive end Justin Alexandre and quarterback Reid Sinnett.

The march kicked off at 10 a.m. at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy and ended at Pittman-Sullivan Park. The park celebration included a main stage with multicultural performances, a health and wellness area, a youth area, food and merchandise vendors, and information booths.

This year’s theme, “Together We Can Be THE Dream,” was created by Shaunda Hopkins Lohse.

“We’ve waited for three years to showcase to the nation that the city of San Antonio continues to honor the legacy of the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Dwayne Robinson, chair of the San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission.

The mission of Fred Brock Post No. 828 is to enhance the well-being of San Antonio’s veterans, their families, the military, and the community by its devotion to mutual helpfulness.

Follow Fred Brock Post 828 on Facebook: American Legion Post No. 828.