Clark and Detectives Honored at MLK Service

The Abington Board of Commissioners hosted its 27th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service Monday at .

Valerie Ward, President of the Willow Grove Branch NAACP, speaking to a packed auditorium, said Martin Luther King Jr. Day is “about more than a speech. He left a legacy of service, a legacy of sacrifice … and most importantly, a legacy of nonviolence.”

Margot A. Clark received the 25th Annual Memorial Award. Clark is the widow of Donald Clark, the former president of the Willow Grove Branch NAACP. He died last year. 

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“I stand before you with mixed emotions … on what I consider one of the greatest days in our calendar,” Clark said. “ To be recognized as someone carrying on the principals of which Dr. Martin Luther King stood ... to support those who are heavily burdened, to educate those who are insensitive to the needs of others, and to pray that all of God’s children would enjoy the freedoms set forth by our constitution, is in an honor in itself. My only regret is that Donald [Clark] is not here to share this moment with me.

She went on to say, “I believe that no one is truly free unless all are free.”

Clark said she has three memories of King — walking with him in Selma, Ala.; her son’s birth, which happened on the day of King’s death; and King’s funeral.

For Clark’s entire speech, check out the video.

Abington Police Detectives Robert Allmond and Sydney Scarborough both received the Special Recognition Award for dedicated service to the community — the pair received commendations from the Montgomery County Commissioners as well.

Scarborough, who was hired by Abington Police in 1984, received a commendation from the Abington Board of Commissioners for his valor in the flood of 1996; he co-directed the first 24 Hour Relay Challenge and was promoted to detective in 1996.

Allmond was hired in 1986. Allmond was the first community police officer in the neighborhood of Crestmont, and was known in that area as “Officer Bob,” according to Abington Commissioner Wayne Luker. 

Copper Beech, Roslyn and Willow Hill elementary schools had students give tributes to King. The Abington High School Select Choir and Abington High School Jazz Band also performed.

The Rev. Jerome Coleman, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Crestmont; and Rabbi Lawrence Sernovitz, of Old York Road Temple-Beth Am, gave the closing prayers.