Twenty five years ago, seven-year-old Melissa Cook and hergrandmother boarded a "Freedom Train" honoring the life of Dr. MartinLuther King. The train ran from San Jose to San Francisco where it endedwith a march through city streets. Cook remembered the moment as sheonce again prepared to board the annual Freedom Train pilgrimage for the

first time since.

"My grandmother," said Cook, "she's always made sure she kept us upto date on what's going on in the world."

The lessons of Cook's grandmother came spilling back as the Caltrainengine rumbled in place. Now that she was an adult, Cook said shewanted to again experience the annual celebration of Martin Luther King,while paying tribute to her grandmother.

"A lot of what she did for me, opening my eyes to the world aroundme, made me the person I am today," said Cook.

The specially designated Caltrain rumbled from San Jose to SanFrancisco, arriving at the 4th and King Street station around 11 a.m. Afew hundred people spilled from the train and into the streets for themarch to Yerba Buena Center for a celebration.

The annual event is a salute to King and others who paved the roadbefore. The fact that the march coincided with the second inaugurationof the nation's first African-American president was lost on no one.

"A lot of people they never expected to have an African-Americanpresident," said eighth-grader Austin Murphy, who made the trip to SanFrancisco from Tracy with her parents.

Many AfricanAmericans taking in the march part talked of growing upwith parents and grandparents who struggled under discrimination.

"I've heard it from my grandparents as well -- all being born in thessuth," said Murphy. "They had to deal with those problems but had tocome through it."

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Riding the "Freedom Train" From SJ to SF