Last week, the Rev. Frederick D. Reese had another feather to put in the cap he often wears as he had the honor to represent the 1965 foot soldiers in Washington, D.C.

Reese, representing thousands of other marchers, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. It’s one of the nation’s highest civilian honors. The award comes more than 50 years after Reese and so many others, many who are no longer with us to witness the honor, sacrificed so everyone could exercise their right to vote.

The honor is well-deserved and overdue. We welcome these marchers back to Selma this weekend. While this year’s Jubilee can’t compare to the once-in-a-lifetime event from last year, that doesn’t take anything away from what these brave men and women, many like Reese from right here in Selma, accomplished.