As the title suggests I am going to reflect on two dates – 8 days apart – that I believe are pivotal dates in our nation’s history.  These events occurred 51 years ago, in March, 1965.  For a variety of reasons they are not only important but personal for Mary and me as we moved to Mississippi in December of 1965.  I reflect on them now one day prior to the celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday because without his influence neither event would have happened and we would be a very different nation today.

Dick Smythe is an entomologist retired from the research division of the US Forest Service.  Throughout his life he has maintained two dominant interests: first, his fascination with the natural world – our non-human environment and endless source of wonder; second, his abiding interest in religion/theology – a subject of continuing education and challenge.