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MONDAY MAY 31, 2010 Breaking news at: Obesity linked to low income Vitality www.redbluffdailynews.com See Page 4A RED BLUFF Bustin’ Out SPORTS 1B Partly sunny 79/55 Weather forecast 8B DAILYNEWS TEHAMACOUNTY DAILY 50¢ T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 The cost of freedom Medalist Daily News photo by Geoff Johnson Marine Corps League Detachment 1140 member Buddy Male salutes a retired flag Saturday at Durango RV Resort.The Tehama County Young Marines and Boy Scout Troop 154 look on. Flag retirement emotional for former Marine By GEOFF JOHNSON DN Staff Writer A tear welled up in the eye of Jason Harris, 30, as he watched a ceremonial flag retirement cere- mony Saturday at Durango RV Resort. Harris was one of around 130 people watching the ceremony, the brainchild of General Manag- er Bill Hollenshade. Hollenshade brought together members of the Tehama County Young Marines, Boy Scout Troop 154 and Marine Corps League Detachment 1140 for the pro- ceedings. “I believe the young genera- tion has lost the concept,” Hol- lenshade said. “Retiring a flag doesn’t necessarily mean putting it on as a shirt.” In a brief ceremony, with no speeches and little-lead up, Young Marines marched an old flag forward and handed it off to Marine Corps League member Buddy Male, who burned it accordance with tradition. Harris, who does maintenance work for Durango, is an Iraq vet- eran. As a squad leader in the Marines, he served eight years, including three tours in Iraq. Fighting for a war he does not agree with cost Harris his mar- riage, and he missed the birth of his third child. One of the hardest parts of coming back, he said, is dealing with people who do not under- stand what he went through over- seas. Now, after witnessing what he described as the senseless death of Americans, Harris juggles cus- tody of three children with class- es at the University of Phoenix online, paid through the GI Bill. Harris carries a lot of weight on his shoulders these days. What he does not carry is a a grudge — not against the service that made him what he is today, nor against the troops still fighting. “I’ve served my country well,” he said. “And I would do it again.” He may just do that, depend- ing on how the next few years go. Once he gets his business man- agement degree, he may become an officer. But for now, it is enough to be there for his children. ——— Geoff Johnson can be reached at 527-2153, extension 114 or gjohnson@redbluffdailynews.com. Courtesy photo U.S. Army Sgt. Angel Herrera, formerly of Corning, won two medals, a silver and a bronze, at the Warrior Games held May 10-14. Corning woman takes two medals By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer Corning’s Sgt. Angel Herrera has earned three presti- gious medals — the first for being wounded in battle, the other two for doing the impossible. Herrera took home silver and a bronze medals in swimming at the inaugural Warrior Games held May 10-14. Having received a Purple Heart for injuries sustained while deployed in Afghanistan, Herrera is stationed with the 1st Battalion Warrior Transition Brigade at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas, where she is a motor transport operator. “I was hoping to win a gold medal, but also knew I would be competing against strong athletes,” Herrera said. “I was very pleased that I was able to hang with the leaders and finish right behind them in both events.” Herrera, who has served in the US Army for five years, was wounded in September 2008 when an enemy rocket-propelled grenade hit her. Suffering severe injuries including shrapnel wounds that severed her carotid artery and internal injuries to her liver, spleen, stomach and intestines, Herrera was told by doctors they didn’t think she would ever swim again. An avid swimmer growing up, Herrera was devas- tated by the news, but committed to the recovery process and resuming her lifelong passion for swim- ming. “You are your worst enemy when it comes to heal- Daily News photo by Geoff Johnson Jason Harris, 30, a maintenance employee at Durango RV Resorts, chats with members of the Marine Corps League Detachment 1140. Harris, a former marine himself, completed eight years in the service. Lawmakers face deadline to pass hundreds of bills SACRAMENTO (AP) — Whether to give airline passengers a break when they’re stuck on the tar- mac, modify the state’s Three Strikes law and start charging customers for grocery bags are among hundreds of bills to be taken up this week as lawmakers race a midyear deadline. Friday is the last day for bills to pass their first house. About 360 mea- sures will be up for votes starting Tuesday after lawmakers return from a Memorial Day break. The list would have been longer had it not been for California’s $19 billion budget deficit. Appropriations commit- tees last week derailed dozens of bills for fear the state can’t afford the asso- ciated cost. The bills that clear their originating chamber will soon start working their way through com- mittees in the opposite house. Bills must pass both the Senate and Assembly by Aug. 31. The legislation is a mix, from consumer pro- tections to paparazzi restrictions to gun con- trols. Here are some of the bills scheduled for Senate votes this week: — The secretary of state’s official pre-elec- 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 See BILLS, page 7A ing,” Herrera said. “If you just feel sorry for yourself or are mad at the bad guy on the other side, you get too caught up in what you can’t do. You have to choose to focus on what you can do.” While once effortless, swimming now requires Her- rera’s full attention. The first time she entered a pool See MEDALS, page 7A Paint show Anita Fernandez, Grass Valley, spends a moment with her horse, “Dude, it’s All About Me,” Saturday at the Tehama County Fairgrounds during the Northern California Paint Horse Show, which continues today. Daily News photo by Geoff Johnson