Editor,

I live on Ebey’s Prairie, directly under the northwest corner of the OLF flight pattern. I built this home in 1975 knowing OLF Coupeville existed at its present location.

I well remember when the field was constructed because, in 1943, our country was at war.

We needed it then as well as now.

One does not have to be very smart to know that if you live in the vicinity of an airport, you might encounter aircraft noise from time to time.

I agree that the new Navy Growlers are louder. I guess this means that the sound of freedom costs a little more.

The noise from the Growlers does not bother me as much as the anti-American members of COER. Most of these Johnny-come-lately people have moved here knowing that OLF existed. How could they not know or care what it takes to keep our country safe.

I know some of these people have never spent one hour or day of their lives serving in our armed forces to protect our freedoms.

I thank and salute our past and present men, women and crews who train at OLF and around the world to keep our country safe.

I sleep just fine at night when the Growlers fly over, knowing they are not the enemy.

Readers, please understand that every time an anti-American member of COER speaks out that it is not from the majority of the people from Ebey’s Prairie.

My advice to these people is to LIOLI, meaning like it or leave it.

Bill Engle

Ebey’s Prairie