IN THE PIPELINE:

Friday marks the 40th anniversary of the death of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. He was gunned down by James Earl Ray while standing on a balcony at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn. Do you remember when the event happened?

I was about 7 at the time, and I recall the coverage — flickering images on our black-and-white TV set of King and the riots that followed.

So it was strange to find myself this past week on my knees, paintbrush in hand, applying a fresh coat of blue to the railing closest to the spot where King fell after being hit in the face by the bullet. Looking across the alley from the motel, I could easily see the boardinghouse window from where Ray fired. Behind me was the door to Room 306, where King emerged from that horrific day.

The Lorraine Motel still stands — only now it’s the National Civil Rights Museum. What brought me and my family here was my role as national spokesman for the Hampton Inn Save-A-Landmark program. Hampton Inn’s 9-year-old landmark refurbishment program has helped “save” 36 landmarks across the country. For about the past four years it has been my privilege to serve as spokesman for Save-A-Landmark, so each year I travel to take part in representing the efforts. Last week, the team was in Memphis, where we worked on sprucing up the museum as it approached the fateful anniversary this week. As I painted near my pal, Hampton Inn’s Sharon Fells, we both whispered to each other, “Are we really here?... can you believe this?” I’ve had the honor of working at many historical sites with Hampton Inn, but nothing quite like this. The gravity here was different — the atmosphere charged with a special drama.

In addition to more than 100 Hampton Inn volunteers, we were joined by actor Samuel L. Jackson, who served as an usher at King’s funeral in 1968. Jackson has remained a vocal civil rights activist, and his speech to us last Tuesday touched upon how important it was for him to be at this site at this time in history. I also had the pleasure of getting to know museum President Beverly Robertson. For about five hours one morning, she and I sat side by side and did about 35 television interviews together. This gave me the advantage of hearing about not just the incredible displays at the museum (including exhibits dedicated to the March on Washington, sit-ins and a preserved Room 306 where King last stayed), but also the passion of a wonderfully charismatic woman who is making sure people, especially children, never forget what happened.

After the work was over, we took our kids to the nearby Mason Temple, where King delivered his last speech the night before. Inside the empty, cavernous hall, you could imagine the weight of the words back in 1968.

“Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land.”

As the refurbishment wrapped up, we all realized what a magnificent day we’d shared. In the strong spring wind, in the bright yellow sunshine, in the smiles, sweat and tears shared by the workers, King’s spirit imbued the day. Hope and conviction seemed to outweigh the pain of the tragedy.

I’ll admit, I love Memphis. For all of her historical southern charms, from Beale Street to Graceland; from the barbecue and crawfish to the Pink Palace, the Blues, Sun Studio — and especially the gracious people. The travel writer in me encourages you to plan a visit.

In The Pipeline is dedicated this week to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. I hope everyone gets a chance in the next day or so to reflect upon what happened 40 years ago, about how far we’ve come since then, as well as the work that still needs to be done. A courageous American was cut down outside Room 306 at the Lorraine Motel — but his dreams are preserved there today and can continue to thrive as long as we breathe life into them.

For more information on the Save-A-Landmark program visit www.hamptonlandmarks.com.

CHRIS EPTING hosts “The Pop Culture Road Trip” radio show on webtalkradio.net. You can write him at chris@chrisepting.com.