Senate pays tribute to slain Idaho soldiers

BOISE (AP) — Idaho senators paid stirring tribute on Friday to seven servicemen with ties to the state who paid the ultimate price in Iraq and Afghanistan over the last year.

The seven who died were Sergeant Nathan Ryan Beyers, Specialist Nicholas Wayne Newby, Specialist Robert Dyas, Corporal Devin Daniels, Corporal Ryan Sharp, Private First Class Robert Near and Marine Lance Corporal Kenneth Cochran.

Senators including John Goedde of Coeur d'Alene and Melinda Smyser of Parma spoke emotionally of children who would never know their fathers, parents and spouses left grieving and a state — and nation forced to go without some of its best and brightest.

They were honored for their unselfish service to country, commitment to freedom and, ultimately, their final sacrifice thousands of miles away from home and loved ones.