Lingle plans mainland trip

Gov. Linda Lingle plans to return to the mainland this weekend to campaign for John McCain and visit Hawaii National Guard soldiers preparing for a Middle East deployment.

The governor will visit with soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, on Sunday before campaigning for the Republican presidential candidate.

Lingle spokesman Russell Pang says the governor will not use any state funds during her trip.

Pang says it has not been decided where Lingle will go to campaign. He says he does not know when the governor will return to the islands.

The 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is due to leave for Kuwait later this month.

Some of the soldiers will guard U.S. installations in Kuwait, while others will protect convoys going into Iraq.

Burial set for Schofield soldier

Schofield Barracks Pfc. Christopher A. McCraw, who died last week in Iraq, will be laid to rest tomorrow in Jackson, Miss.

The 23-year-old soldier was killed Oct. 14 when he came under attack while on patrol in Baghdad.

Family members said McCraw had a young son and planned to marry the child's mother when he returned from Iraq.

Visitation is set for today in Columbia, Miss. The funeral is planned for tomorrow at Woodlawn Pentecostal Church.

McCraw was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division.