Slain soldier’s father to give talk

NAMPA, Idaho – The father of a U.S. Marine killed two years ago in Iraq is coming to Boise, Caldwell and Nampa as part of his bid to persuade the United States to withdraw its troops from Iraq.

Fernando Suarez del Solar of San Diego visits Albertson College of Idaho in Caldwell and the Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho in Nampa on Sunday, followed by a visit Monday to Boise State University.

Solar says he’s traveling to 45 cities and 125 schools in his campaign.

His son, Lance Cpl. Jesus Suarez del Solar, died in a cluster bomb explosion in 2003. The 20-year-old Solar joined the military two years earlier after recruiters told him enlisting would help him become a civilian police officer, his father said. “War is not the way for peace,” Suarez del Solar said in a phone interview from San Diego, prior to his arrival in Idaho. “I support the troops, but I don’t support the war.”

He’ll speak Sunday at the Hispanic cultural center at 3:30 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. presentation at Albertson College of Idaho. A day later, he’ll speak at 7 p.m. at BSU.