'I'm here to honor his memory'

It would have been hard to miss John Biega at Monday's Memorial Day service on the courthouse square. As he listened intently to the Pledge of Allegiance and the prayers and the singing of the national anthem and the speeches given in honor of the men and women who have died in service to their country, Biega held a picture of his father, Anthony Biega, clutched tightly to his chest.

In the photograph, the elder Biega is dressed in his World War II Army uniform.

"Dad served in the Battle of the Bulge," Biega said with barely disguised pride. "He was an interrogator. He knew several languages so he was the one who questioned any prisoners they took. But he also volunteered to search for mines in the field with his bayonet. It must have been pretty hairy. They awarded him the Bronze Star."

Pick up a copy of today's edition, Wednesday, May 28, 2008, for full story and photos.