Kevin Graman

Perhaps the only issue on which the three Republican candidates for the 5th District seat in the U.S. House did not agree during their first debate of the campaign season was which one was more likely to beat the presumptive Democrat candidate, Don Barbieri. And he wasn't at Gonzaga University's Jundt Art Center to defend himself Tuesday night before a small crowd of mostly GOP loyalists. This debate, three months before the primary, was restricted to the Republican hopefuls who will have to duke it out – eventually – to see who will survive September.

In a first for Fairchild Air Force Base since its involvement in the global war on terrorism, an airman who was injured by Iraqi insurgents while he was destroying a large cache of enemy ordnance was presented with the Purple Heart on Monday. Airman 1st Class Brandon "Newt" Guingrich was presented with the medal by visiting Brig. Gen. Del Eulberg of Headquarters, Air Mobility Command, during a ceremony attended by members of the 92nd Civil Engineers Squadron.

In the skies above Normandy, in the waters off its shore, in the towns and villages of France, tens of thousands of people waited 60 years ago – waited and hoped. Hoped to survive the war. Hoped to survive the next 24 hours. Hoped for deliverance from the Nazi occupation of most of Europe, and for freedom.

WASHINGTON – Nearly 60 years after the defining event of the 20th century, the World War II memorial was dedicated in the capital Saturday in a tribute to the 16 million Americans who served in the armed forces during history's greatest conflict. Police estimated 140,000 people attended the ceremony at the new memorial between the Washington and Lincoln monuments. About 60 percent of the guests were men and women who lived through the war in which 400,000 Americans were killed.

There is not a great deal Glen Douglas can say about his three tours of duty in Vietnam. It's not that he can't remember. In fact, there is much he would like to forget. He cannot talk about what has had such a profound impact on his life because he signed three documents pledging not to – one in the field, one in Saigon and one at Fort Lewis, Wash., upon his discharge in 1966. After having fought three wars and receiving eight Purple Heart citations for injuries in battle, it is his Vietnam experience that has left the deepest scars.

Glen Douglas was 18 the first time he killed a man, a German soldier no older than himself. As a combat veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, Douglas has killed many more than he can ever remember, but he remembers this first firefight in the last weeks of the war in Europe. The German had shot at him from 35 feet away and missed.

A couple of Hayden teenagers were busy Saturday, paying their debt to society for a bad decision last summer when they set fires in recycling bins at six area schools. By their rash act, Chris Bonasera and Christian Lohrey stretched Coeur d'Alene fire crews to the limit last July 7. So they are spending their weekends this summer cleaning up and doing chores at the firehouse. Convicted of one count each of third-degree arson, the two were sentenced to two years of supervised probation, $5,500 restitution and 192 hours of community service. The teens had no prior criminal records and their sentence was recommended by prosecutors and fire officials because of their remorse.

YAKIMA – Each year, members of the American Prisoners of War come back to their annual convention, and each year they are fewer in number. They come here to be with old friends who know how they feel and to share stories. When they are all gone, there will be no one left to tell about the sacrifices they made 60 years ago so future generations could live in peace.

Nearly 60 years after 1st Lt. Walter Mayer saved the crew of his crippled B-17 by making an extraordinary emergency landing on an unfamiliar Belgian airfield, the retired U.S. Air Force officer will be presented with the Distinguished Flying Cross at a ceremony Thursday in Spokane. Mayer, of Spokane, will receive the award from Maj. Gen. Paul Essex, former commander of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base, during the All-City Civic Military Luncheon at the WestCoast Ridpath Hotel. Col. Anthony Mauer, the wing's current commander, and Mayor Jim West will be among 400 military and civilian dignitaries in attendance.