Norwich — Among the major historical events of 1968, which included the deaths of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, the Rev. George Blair III said he "felt like the world was ending."

But Blair, the senior minister at United Congregational Church in Norwich, reminded those present Friday afternoon at Norwich's 32nd annual luncheon honoring King, of King's view that "the interconnected web of nonviolence, justice and peace cannot be broken."

"King's words still resonate with me ... Dr. King's greatest legacy remains the ongoing struggle," he said.

The event honors King's birthday, and also recognizes two seniors, this year Tayla Willson and Junior Dufort, who received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship. They were recognized at the ceremony by the offices of U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney. The scholarships are given by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Trust Fund of Greater New London County.

Blair III, the featured speaker at the luncheon, gave a speech citing his own personal history learning about King.

He said growing up in Madison he did "not hear a good word about the man until April 4, 1968," the day King was assassinated. But as Blair applied for conscientious objector status during the Vietnam War and learned of King's own wrestling with the subject, he connected with King's words.

Speakers, which also included the state Comptroller Kevin Lembo and the Norwich NAACP branch's new president, Dianne M. Daniels, as well as Norwich Mayor Deberey Hinchey, all touched on what they said were extraordinary times.

But unity, strength and reflection were the messages they wanted to leave with the audience as they left the room and reflected on King's words and values.

As Lembo finished his speech, he discussed the election and what he said was a moment to think about whether we were living King's values.

"There's a lot going on in the world and being in rooms like this makes things a little bit easier," Lembo said.

n.lynch@theday.com