A belated tribute to a local hero made mark far away

Inter Lake editorial

The heroism of combat had a simple explanation from Don Hossack, who said of his Vietnam War heroics, "You don't want to die. We just did the best we could."

But despite his humility, Hossack's best was remarkably better than that of most of us. Although he was wounded three times in a battle with the North Vietnamese at Hill 881 South near Khe Sanh in 1967, this Marine kept his cool and helped the survivors of a devastating ambush make it out alive.

The Marine Corps last month finally recognized Hossack, a former Kalispell assistant police chief, and two other heroes of Hill 881 South for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action."

We join others in the community with our thanks to Hossack for his dedicated service, and congratulations to him for an honor long overdue.

For both local travelers and visitors to the Flathead, there should be good news at the gas pump this summer.

A federal government projection pegs the price of gasoline at no higher than $2.30 a gallon this summer.

That's welcome news for anyone from here planning to hit the road this summer. And it should be good for people coming to visit Northwest Montana, too.

Considering that last summer the pain at the pump was in the $4-a-gallon range, paying $2.30 this year is going to seem like a bargain.

There are great uncertainties in trying to predict gas prices, of course, but these latest numbers are encouraging nonetheless.

Finally, MontanA has a reasonable solution to a troublesome stream access dispute that has lingered for years.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer signed legislation this week that was similar to a bill considered in 2007 but rejected by lawmakers.

The new law ensures access to public waters from county road and bridge right-of-ways. It also allows landowners to attach fencing to bridges to prevent livestock escapes - as long as there is some form of access, such as a gate, for the public to reach the water. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is charged with working with landowners to ensure adequate access is provided.

What is important is that Montana has maintained stream access, and resisted pressures for legislation that could have reduced it.