Pvt. Jessica Equihua slipped on a pair of oversized gloves, dropped a mask over her face, fired up a welding torch and let the sparks fly.

While others in her Fort Lewis-based platoon watched, she slowly welded two small metal plates together at a 90-degree angle.

In a few months, she could be asked to use her new skills on a Humvee or other military vehicles in Iraq.

"It's good to learn this stuff now instead of getting over there and not know when we need it," the 20-year-old automated logistical specialist said. "Plus it's fun. And maybe with some practice, you know, I could be good at it."

Equihua is one of about 75 members of Fort Lewis' 602nd Forward Support Company receiving a crash course in welding this week at Pacific Welding Supplies' Auburn location. The Tacoma-based company agreed to train the soldiers at no cost after a noncommissioned officer from the unit contacted them, saying more of his company's members needed basic welding skills ahead of their deployment to Iraq in September.

Only four members of the company's maintenance platoon knew how to weld, and two were expected to be assigned to a different location in Iraq when the company deploys, said Sgt. Chris Anderson, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the company's welding shop.

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A few readers called and e-mailed over the weekend saying they saw a bunch of law enforcement vehicles near the east gate of Fort Lewis.

From my colleague Brian Everstine:

A Spanaway man was arrested Tuesday afternoon for allegedly molesting and taking pornographic pictures of children on Fort Lewis grounds.

Jeffrey R. Smiley, 36, was charged in U.S. District Court in Tacoma with aggravated sexual abuse. He was also wanted on a warrant in Pierce County Superior Court for two counts of first-degree child molestation.

Smiley is not connected to the Army or Fort Lewis.

Investigators reportedly found mattresses, toys and cameras at two locations in a wooded area near Fort Lewis. They also found his car, which contained a computer and child porn image.

The FBI said there could be more victims. Anyone with information about additional victims should call the FBI at 206-622-0460.

The 56th anniversary of the ceasefire ending the Korean War will be marked Saturday with a wreathlaying at the Korean War Veterans Memorial on the Capitol Campus in Olympia.

The 16th annual ceremony will begin 11 a.m. The name of Cpl. William B. Morse of Keyport will be added to the memorial. All organizations and individuals are welcome to bring flowers or wreaths to place during the ceremony, the State Department of Veterans Affairs said in a press release.