Hank Thomas, one of three living Freedom Riders still alive from the May 14, 1961 bus firebomb attack in Anniston, Alabama, spoke before a mixed audience at a Georgia college recently. His message wasn't just one of racial reconciliation. It was about "allies."

All were willing to step up to make a difference, to lead when it could be dangerous, and to let their lives be shining examples for others. We should remember them when we face stormy and cloudy weather in our national life and become bright rainbows of hope like them.

I got involved in civil rights gradually. At the outset I simply cared deeply but didn't know very much about it. It became clear that it was one thing to be legitimately in favor of racial justice, yet quite another to take a controversial public stand on the issue.