Editor,

I recently became aware of issues concerning the U.S. Navy’s use of the auxiliary airfield outside of Coupeville by a group calling itself Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve, a group that seems to have been created by www.moveon.org

I sent them a letter stating my opposition to their intended goals of forcing the U.S. Navy to end air operations at this facility.

The following is the content of that email:

You can gather from my email address (eod1952@verizon.net) that I am a retired Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician — U.S. Army, by the way. What is not evident is that I was raised in Coupeville and spent most of my childhood in Coupeville. My grandmother owned and operated the restaurant, The Seagull, where I worked as I grew up.

To get a proper perspective, I have been very active in environmental issues after I retired from active service — and not from the side of the Department of Defense.

I would ask you to Google my name to detail my involvement.

My concerns involve a balanced approach. The issue(s) surrounding the U.S. Navy’s use of the approach strip dates back when I was growing up in the 1960s. Back then, the anti-war movement, along with other progressive and liberal groups, tried to shut down operations.

They failed, mainly because the general population’s demographics were strongly conservative.

The demographics have changed with the influx of a more liberal set of people coming in from places like Seattle.

I might want to add at this time that, while I am considered as an environmental activist, I am an American and a former serviceman who realizes the need for military training. Hence, the balanced approach. The Navy’s usage of this facility is needed.

I find the organization’s “MOVEON” involvement in trying to shut down the Navy’s Air Operations very suspicious. The statements on their website indicating your support of the U.S. Navy I find particularly offensive.

Over the course of many years, I have personally found that www.moveon.org is anti-military both in ideology and in action.

Rick Stauber

Waldorf, Maryland