But even with that exposure, the nine middle- and high-school girls arriving in Washington on Friday morning on Amtrak could barely contain their giggles as they began what will be a historic weekend.
Bernice King and Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., former Freedom Rider and one of King's disciples, met the girls on the platform at Union Station to help them start a trip that will include Sunday's dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial. The star-studded four-hour event will feature President Obama, Aretha Franklin and civil rights leaders.
