I praise all the people for their hard work in trying to erect a memorial in honor for the men and women who served in the P2V Neptune unit. Although I feel the actual memorial itself will be beautiful when complete, it frustrates me that they would choose a park that has already been dedicated and beautifully represents all veterans, of all branches of the military.

I feel that erecting a memorial representing a specific branch and/or unit in Veterans Memorial Park would only take away the park’s true purpose, which is to honor all men and women in every branch that have served our country. There is no denying that the Navy is the backbone of the community. I feel blessed and thankful for their service (as well as the Army, Marines and Air force, retired or active) to our community and country. I completely support P2V Neptune Memorial and feel that many other branches and units probably deserve memorials of recognition as well, but all that I am asking is that they choose another park.

Veterans Memorial Park is named, and was erected to remind, us all (as we leave the library, the seaplane base, or simply drive up Regatta or down Pioneer) to be thankful and grateful to all veterans whose service has been so valuable and they are not forgotten. One of the great things about Oak Harbor is that we have many, many parks as individual as the people that visit them, and I am sure that the Oak Harbor Parks Board would be able to help find one that would do the P2V Neptune Memorial justice.

If the P2V Neptune Memorial supporters simply must have Memorial Park then I will be one of the first to rally for a new Veterans Memorial, since that park would then officially be named P2V Neptune Memorial Park. I look forward to seeing the P2V Neptune Memorial complete, just not in Veterans Memorial Park.

Scott Darnell

USMC Veteran

Oak Harbor