Located at the center of the Washington State University campus is the WSU Veterans Memorial. On the memorial are engraved the names of Washington State students, faculty, and staff who served their country in violent conflicts that took place far from the peace and tranquility of the Palouse. Each name represents a life sacrificed either in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War or the Global War on Terrorism.

Behind each name is a story.

The six-part feature series conveys the stories connected with four names on the memorial. All had an association with Washington State Athletics in some manner. In commemoration of Memorial Day, the series is not only written to honor the four Washington State students who gave their lives for their country, it is dedicated to each name on the memorial, and to their stories.

Part I: A Storyteller

To better appreciate the stories contained within the memorial, it is helpful to understand the story of the memorial itself, and the man responsible for its creation. Part one of the series tells their story.

Part II: A Sacrifice Not To Be Forgotten

The second installment of the six-part series focuses on a war that has become overlooked by many people today. The advancement of time may diminish the memories of the country's first major conflict of the 20th Century, but not its significance. This is the story of one Washington State College student-athlete who left the school as a national champion, and died a national hero.

Part III: The Epitome of Courage

Hero is a word that is often overused, especially in the athletic arena. In the case of Ira "Chris" Rumburg, it is an understatement. This is his extraordinary story.

Part IV: A Hall of Famer in Every Way

In July 2001, Sports Illustrated ran a cover story honoring a Vietnam War hero, and, in the process, inadvertently brought the story of a former Washington State College football star, and Vietnam War hero himself, back to prominence; so much so that he earned a place in the Professional Football Hall of Fame.

Part V: A Guy You Want On Your Team

On the east side of the Washington State University Veterans Memorial are plaques, set adjacent to each other, displaying the names of the Washington State students who fell in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf wars. Directly across these plaques is a plaque, set alone; etched at its top are the words "Global War on Terrorism." Below it are four names of WSU students who gave their lives in Iraq. The four are among the over 4,000 United States servicemen and servicewomen who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan and Iraq since October 2001. Three of the names are Jaime Campbell, Brian Freeman, and James Shull. This is the story of the fourth.

Part VI: The Names