Funeral Notices

WASHINGTON — The U.S. is bolstering its military presence in Afghanistan, more than 16 years after the war started. Is anyone paying attention?

Consider this: At a Senate hearing this past week on top U.S. security threats, the word “Afghanistan” was spoken exactly four times, each during introductory remarks. In the ensuing two hours of questions for intelligence agency witnesses, no senator asked about Afghanistan, suggesting little interest in a war with nearly 15,000 U.S. troops supporting combat against the Taliban.

It’s not as if the war’s end is in sight.

Just last month the bulk of an Army training brigade of about 800 soldiers arrived to improve the advising of Afghan forces. Since January, attack planes and other aircraft have been added to U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

But it’s not clear that the war, which began in October 2001, is going as well as the U.S. had hoped seven months after President Donald Trump announced a new, more aggressive strategy. The picture may be clearer once the traditionally most intensive fighting season begins in April or May.

The weak central government in Kabul and the resilient Taliban insurgency are not the U.S. military’s only problems there. It also faces what Gen. Joseph Votel calls interference by Russia.

Laryn Chase Clayton, 28, a former resident of Yuma, died March 6, 2018, in Palm Springs.

Born Oct. 17, 1989, in Tucson, he was a motorsports salesman.

A viewing will be 10 a.m. March 17 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2895 S. 8th Ave., with funeral services at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Desert Lawn.

Yuma Mortuary and Crematory is handling arrangements.

Rodrigo Valencia, 78, died on March 9, 2018 at Yuma Regional Medical Center.

Born March 13, 1939 in Sahuaripa, Sonora, Mexico, he retired after a career at Pasquinelli Farms.

Visitation is scheduled for today from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Desert Valley Mortuary Chapel. A requiem mass is scheduled for Monday at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church with Father Eduardo Lopez. Cremation will follow.

Desert Valley Mortuary is handling the arrangements.