CASPER
Senator remembered as humble, simple
U.S. Sen. Craig Thomas was remembered Saturday as a cowboy who didn’t let Washington change him.
About 20 members of Congress, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, attended a service for the Republican, who died Monday after a fight with leukemia. He was 74.
More than 1,000 people overflowed from the First United Methodist Church where Thomas’ health problems surfaced about seven months ago as he became lightheaded during a Sunday service. He was diagnosed with leukemia a few days after he won re-election.
“He was a simple, humble son of Wyoming, and he remained one to the end,” McCon nell said.
Thomas is survived by his wife, Susan, four children and nine grandchildren.
CHARLESTON, S.C.
Seashore ceremony marks slave passage
Eighteen years ago, Tony Akeem organized a ceremony in New York City to honor the millions of Africans who died crossing the Atlantic during the slave trade. Observances have spread around the world.
On Saturday, water, honey and rum were poured along the shores of South Carolina and elsewhere for Middle Passage Remembrance Day.
“We must, we must, honor our ancestors,” Akeem said.
About 100 people gathered at a Fort Moultrie dock on Sullivans Island near Charleston.
The first slaves arrived in Charleston in 1670, the same year the Carolina colony was created. Historians estimate nearly 40 percent of the millions of slaves brought to what became the United States passed through Charleston. Many others died at sea.
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.
Marine defends acts in Iraq aftermath
Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani told the investigating officer at his preliminary hearing Saturday that he does not believe he did anything criminally wrong in the aftermath of a Marine shooting in Hadithah, Iraq, that left 24 civilians dead.
“I would say to you, I do not believe my decisions and actions were criminal, sir,” the Colorado Marine told Col. Christopher Conlin.
Chessani faces a possible court-martial for not calling for an investigation in the killings of Nov. 19, 2005.
After closing arguments Monday, Conlin will forward a recommendation on whether Chessani should go to a court-martial.
LOS ANGELES
Sheehan’s land may host peace memorial
Cindy Sheehan will sell her protest site near President Bush’s ranch to a California radio show host, who will preserve it as a peace memorial and keep it open to protesters.
Sheehan will sell 5 acres in Crawford for $87,000 to Bree Walker, Sheehan spokeswoman Tiffany Burns said.
“I’m going to have native prairie grasses planted on the plot and create some kind of peace memorial that can include the names of fallen soldiers and injured soldiers,” said Walker, who describes herself as “progressive.”
