Editor,

This letter is in direct response to the writer of the letter entitled, “Don’t military familes get enough services?”

The short answer to that question is a resounding “NO!”

I should preface my response by saying this letter is the second rendering of my response because I was so thoroughly disgusted and agitated when I read your letter, I knew my initial one could not be published as written.

My computer key board is still smoking … Let us set aside the topic of “services” and talk of the “benefits.”

These are not necessarily in order of importance. Picking up and moving every few years; pulling children out of school, leaving their friends behind; missing school plays, birthday, recitals, births, wives left behind to run the household and problems on her own.

Oh, I almost forgot “great” pay — numerous families in the lower pay grades subsist, yes, just subsist with the help of food stamps and food banks.

Most men and women didn’t join the military for the pay, but for love of country.

They often, yes, often, work 12, 16, 18 hours a day and away from their families for six months to a year at a time.

You can do the math — earning far less than minimum wage while often being in harm’s way.

Oh yes, I almost forgot another great benefit, our Navy pilots also get to periodically play an enhanced version of dodge ball, where the pilot tries to avoid an incoming surface-to-air missile or two.

I hear this is a real “benefit.”

They also have the great benefit of carrier landings — yes, the ones they practice at Outlying Field Coupeville in spite of the whiners down there.

This carrier landing game is the equivalent of trying to land a Volkswagen on a postage stamp floating on a raging sea.

So, Ms. “Services” writer, my guess is that you’re not a Navy family member.

If you are associated with the military, shame on you, for you should know better.

In closing, before you fire off another disgusting, demeaning letter, give it a little more thought and write a letter thanking our service families for their sacrifices.

Fred Stilwell

Oak Harbor