Editor,

Ken Pickard stated in his letter last week that Congressman Rick Larsen is not representing all of his constituents because he is not representing Ken’s opinion.

In fact, if Larsen deferred to Ken’s opinion about Navy flight training operations, he would not be representing me.

I also fully expect that there are more voters in this congressional district who agree with me on that issue than those who agree with Mr. Pickard.

It is one of the challenges of democracy.

Something about being able to please all of the people all of the time …

Although most of the time there are no flight operations at the OLF, this evening is one of the times that Navy planes are flying over my house, and I must admit I rather enjoy it.

It is a pleasant reminder of my past — on the ground — in the jungles of Southeast Asia when my fellow soldiers and I were confronted by enemy soldiers, and close air support strikes by US Air Force and carrier-based Navy aircraft was an important factor in preserving our lives.

Later, my survival, and that of my fellow soldiers, again benefitted from close-air support by carrier-based aircraft when we were confronted by a hostile enemy in Middle Eastern deserts.

While I suspect that Ken Pickard is in the minority of voters on the issue of military presence in this area, I will acknowledge that he is among the majority of Americans who never served in our nation’s military, protected by the 1 percent who do.

Thank you, Congressman Larsen, for your support of the 1 percent.

Vin Sherman
Coupeville