Reservist sues over fifth deployment

Erik Botta, seen here at his Florida home with his wife, Jennifer, is an Army reservist who has done four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and is now being called for a fifth tour. The Army has denied his request for delay or educational exemption.

Worst violence since US pullback hits Iraq

Bombs killed nearly 60 people in Iraq on Thursday in the worst violence since U.S. combat troops withdrew from urban areas last week, and American forces released five Iranian officials suspected of aiding Shiite insurgents.

A look at some of the many Northwest lives touched by the conflict

Terry Harder, 55, Tacoma

Pro-troops activist and salesman for Office Depot

"I had seen the Vietnam War, and I did not like what it did to our country."

Sandy Bonvouloir, 50, Olympia

Elementary-school counselor

"I strongly believe the kids serve, too ... The kids are my absolute heroes ..."

Rabab Al-Ali, 19

Everett Community College student. Her family came from Iraq and owns a small grocery store in Everett.

We have to continue. This is life."

Jared Santos, 17, Bellingham

Sehome High School student, standing at the cemetery where his brother, who was killed in Iraq, is buried.

"I remember when his body came to town ... People lined the road with candles"

Bill Kuhns, 62, Seattle

Nathan Hale High School art photography teacher

"Life is short. Art is long."

The Powells

In May, Blaine plans to drive his brother from their home in Vancouver to the Veterans Affairs hospital in Seattle for Brandon's annual weeklong checkup. Meanwhile, although there is no proven cure for quadriplegia, both brothers search the Internet for potential treatments as far away as China.

Hamoody

Muhammed Hussein, the 4-year-old from Iraq who came to Seattle last May for surgery after being shot in the face by Sunni militants, is still waiting. The first of a several surgeries to reconstruct the little boy's face was to begin in March but had to be rescheduled until May when Hamoody, as he is known, came down with a sore throat.