HEROES: Honor, yes; holidays, no

I am in total agreement that if any one of our past heroes in this country should deserve a special holiday on the calendar, Martin Luther King is certainly one of them.

It should be recognized, however, that as this country and the world progress, we should bear in mind that there are only so many days in a year.

I believe that we are going to, by necessity, change the attitude as far as paid time off for any employee, whether in the private or the public sector, when a holiday is declared. Shortening the productive and profitable hours in this country will only give way to competition worldwide, something we can ill afford in these times of financial instability.

I should think that most people who sincerely admire our heroes could find in their hearts to pay tribute and homage to them in the time available outside our precious productive hours.

BJARNE B. LARSEN

Hayden