Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial

The statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is seen unveiled from scaffolding during the soft opening of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, Monday, Aug. 22, 2011. The memorial will be dedicated Sunday, Aug. 28.

Section:Gallery

Mon., Aug. 22, 2011

The words of Martin Luther King, Jr., are seen on the walls of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial ahead of its dedication this weekend, Monday, Aug. 22, 2011, in Washington.

Charles Dharapak Associated Press
The Washington Monument is see at right as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is seen ahead of its dedication this weekend, Monday, Aug. 22, 2011, in Washington.

Charles Dharapak Associated Press
The statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is seen unveiled from scaffolding during the soft opening of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, Monday, Aug. 22, 2011. The memorial will be dedicated Sunday, Aug. 28.

Jacquelyn Martin Associated Press
The statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is seen unveiled from scaffolding during the soft opening of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, Monday, Aug. 22, 2011. The memorial will be dedicated Sunday, Aug. 28. The Washington Monument is at right.

Jacquelyn Martin Associated Press
The statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is seen unveiled from scaffolding during the soft opening of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, Monday, Aug. 22, 2011. The memorial will be dedicated Sunday, Aug. 28.

Jacquelyn Martin Associated Press
The statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is seen unveiled from scaffolding during the soft opening of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, Monday, Aug. 22, 2011. The memorial will be dedicated Sunday, Aug. 28.

Jacquelyn Martin Associated Press
The statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is seen unveiled from scaffolding during the soft opening of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, Monday, Aug. 22, 2011. The memorial will be dedicated Sunday, Aug. 28.

Jacquelyn Martin Associated Press
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is seen ahead of its dedication this weekend in Washington, Monday, Aug. 22, 2011.

Charles Dharapak Associated Press
James "Plunky" Branch plays his soprano saxophone near the new Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial in Washington, Monday, Aug. 22, 2011.

Susan Walsh Associated Press
People view the new Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial in Washington, Monday, Aug. 22, 2011.

Susan Walsh Associated Press
People view the new Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial in Washington, Monday, Aug. 22, 2011.

Susan Walsh Associated Press
People view the new Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial in Washington, Monday, Aug. 22, 2011.

Susan Walsh Associated Press
With the statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., reflected in her sunglasses, Kwanzaa Nivens, of Washington, gets emotional as she looks at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial for the first time in Washington, on Monday, Aug. 22, 2011. The memorial will be dedicated on Sunday.

Jacquelyn Martin Associated Press
Sculptor Lei Yixin, of China, center, is interviewed by a Chinese television crew in front of his sculpture of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the soft opening of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, Monday, Aug. 22, 2011. The memorial will be officially dedicated on Sunday.

Jacquelyn Martin Associated Press
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is seen in Washington, Monday, Aug. 22, 2011. The memorial will be officially dedicated on Sunday.

Jacquelyn Martin Associated Press
Christopher Ogden, of Charlotte, right, takes a photograph of his children, Courtney Ogden, 6, center, and Conrad Ogden, 2, with a statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, Monday, Aug. 22, 2011. The memorial will be officially dedicated on Sunday.

Jacquelyn Martin Associated Press
People visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, on Monday, Aug. 22, 2011. The memorial will be officially dedicated on Sunday.

Jacquelyn Martin Associated Press
Kenneth Kluttz, of Alexandria Va., left, waits in line to be one of the first members of the public to view the completed Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, Monday, Aug. 22, 2011. The memorial will be officially dedicated on Sunday.

Jacquelyn Martin Associated Press