Dr. Walter Young waves to his friends after finally agreeing to let family members take him to the hospital during his 75th birthday celebration. Photo: Brant Sanderlin/AJC

There were a few anxious moments Saturday afternoon at the Family Heritage Day 75th birthday party for Dr. Walter Young at the southwest Atlanta YMCA named for him.

The veteran civil rights icon, community leader and Atlanta dentist, perhaps, did a bit too much dancing outside in the sun and heat and ended up experiencing chest pains. An ambulance was called and Young’s family, including his older brother and former Atlanta mayor Andrew Young, reasoned with the birthday boy to go to the hospital to be examined.

But he resisted until after he made a few remarks to the hundreds of well-wishers who had worriedly gathered in the gymnasium. The entire day served as a fund-raiser for the Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA.

Eventually, it was determined that Young was suffering from dehydration. After he rested briefly at home, re-hydrated and changed clothes, he was back at the party, greeted by a standing ovation.

As the party’s organizers, his wife Sonjia, his children and grandchildren were being located to join Young on stage, the birthday boy attempted to dispel fears about his health.

Cracked Young: “They must be at the hospital!”

As his family gathered around him, Young explained why having the party in his beloved southwest Atlanta neighborhood where his Young Dental Clinic has been located for decades, was so important to him.

“Sonjia asked me some months ago, ‘What would you like to do for your 75th birthday? A vacation to Jamaica, the Bahamas or Hawaii, maybe?’ I said, ‘No, I just want a party at the Y. And not just a party but a fund-raiser to raise money for the children.’ I wanted to give back the blessings that God has given me. Young people today need to know how to be the thermostats and not the barometers, leaders not followers.”

Both of the Young brothers were members of their neighborhood YMCA in their native New Orleans. It’s where the boys first learned about Africa and how to swim. The Youngs and their families have been members of the Campbellton Road Y for decades.

Among the dignitaries assembled for the occasion: Freshly minted Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree Joseph Lowery (Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin graciously vacated her front-row seat for Lowery when the civil rights legend arrived), Rev. Barbara King, state senator Kasim Reed and Atlanta city councilmen Ceasar C. Mitchell and H. Lamar Willis.