The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON - Ensign Sara Schlachter was commissioned as an officer the United States Navy Sunday afternoon during a ceremony at the Columbia County Courthouse here.

Schlachter, 26, and a 2008 Dayton High School graduate, was given her oath by State Representative Terry Nealey in front of the courthouse steps. Members of Dayton's American Legion Post 42 presented colors and stood by as her oath was taken. A crowd, including Schlachter's parents, Alan and Terri, and several other Legion members, looked on.

Before administering the oath, Nealey described his experience, being commissioned at WSU a...