It is fitting we honor his memory and name by setting aside a day to quietly remember this great American. Few Americans living or dead have lived their convictions as completely as Martin. Of course he is most famous for two of his speeches, "I Have A Dream" and "I See The Promised Land." They were two of his most eloquent.

Martin was much more to America than two speeches, however. His ability to motivate, to lead, and to inspire marked him to be remembered in the history of this nation as one of the most important men of the 20th century.

I remember vividly the day after he was murdered. My wife and I were students at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, Iowa.

When we got to college that day we were handed black arm bands and told to go to the auditorium. Students were just milling about, not really talking. Many were crying. Everyone appeared sort of dazed. A couple of our teachers went to the stage and made speeches about Martin, none of which I remember. We sang "We Shall Overcome."

Then my wife and I went with a couple hundred others to the Congregational Church across the street and held an informal worship service. There wasn't a dry eye in the church as we remembered our beloved Martin and sang the hymns of that Civil Rights era.

Those of us who believe in equality get frustrated because changes in people's attitudes just don't seem to come fast enough. We convince ourselves that "nothing is ever going to change."

Then today as I was contemplating what to write for this column, I received an email from my twelve year old granddaughter Ali. Her email says, "Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! The Dream Is Still Alive!"

Yes, child, you're right. The dream is alive still. You keep it that way!

Even those who came to this earth after Martin left it, miss him. Some important things have changed for the better.