Roger Flygare, a Democrat running for District 30 state representative, acknowledged that he made inaccurate statements about his military service.

In public statements including a questionnaire for the King County Democrats as well as his own campaign website, Flygare claimed he served two tours in the Vietnam War.

The issue was raised by Thom Stoddert, a retired U.S. Army veteran from Lacey. Stoddert said he looked into Flygare’s credentials after meeting him at a banquet in August. When confronted on the discrepancy of his claims, Flygare’s website was revised to correct the statement on serving “two tours of duty in Vietnam.”

Stoddert posted a story on his findings at www.theveteransvoice.com.

Flygare told The Mirror that he misspoke. Flygare clarified that he served two tours of duty in the military, but only one in Vietnam. That tour lasted about a year. The other tour of duty was in Germany, he said.

Flygare showed The Mirror his military discharge papers, one of which listed his awards/medals, including a Purple Heart. He was awarded the Purple Heart after being injured by shrapnel in his left arm, he said.

Flygare, who spent his career in the court reporting business, is running for the state representative seat vacated by Mark Miloscia, who lost his bid for state auditor this summer. Flygare faces Linda Kochmar, a Republican and current Federal Way City Council member.

Upcoming candidate forum

The Federal Way Mirror and Federal Way Chamber will host a general election forum for District 30 candidates.

The forum runs 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, at the Federal Way High School Little Theater, located at Pacific Highway South and South 308th Street.

The evening will be divided between two races for the state Legislature.

For state representative position 1, Linda Kochmar and Roger Flygare will take the stage from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

In the race for state representative position 2, Katrina Asay (Republican) and Roger Freeman (Democrat) will take the stage from 6:30 to 8 p.m.