Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream that didn't die that fateful day in 1968 on a Memphis hotel balcony.

Now nearly 40 years later, his memory continues to be honored by those who share that same dream.

The MLK Celebration Committee will be sponsoring Lawrence County's 15th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Memorial at 6:30 p.m. in the OUS Bowman Auditorium on Monday, January 17.

"Every year, it is such an important time to come together, regardless of our background, to show solidarity," said Robert Pleasant Jr., chairperson for the King 2005 Celebration Committee.

This year's theme is "Celebrating America: The Beloved Community of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr."

The annual commemoration has a different theme every year to remind area residents that Dr. King's dream did not relate only to the African American community, but to young, old, black and white alike, Pleasant said.

The event will feature dramatic readings of the words of Dr. King, special music and presentations by area speakers.

Commissioner Jason Stephens is one of those speakers who will reflect on what America and Dr. King mean to him.

"I think it's a good time to remember what Dr. King did for America," Stephens said. "It's about communities coming together and celebrating our common goals."

Stephens said Dr. King's contribution was made especially evident to him when he attended the presidential inauguration four years ago.

While in the nation's capital, he and his family stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. It was on those same steps Dr. King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963 to about 250,000 people gathered on the National Mall.

"It was great experience to stand there and to think of his vision for America," Stephens said.

The MLK celebration is held in cooperation with Ohio University Southern and is open to the public at no charge. OUS will serve refreshments after the program. For more information, contact Pleasant at (740) 532-3140 ext. 221.