Editor,

Sacrifice for Freedom …

I took a few moments — OK, maybe an hour — atop Ebey’s Bluff on the Fourth of July to absorb the beauty of our island.

While there, my mind drifted to the current issue of flights at OLF. I was raised in Coupeville and have served 20-plus years in the Navy and Navy Reserves, so I definitely have an opinion.

However, I also recognize and respect the differing opinions of others.

The freedom to be heard is a key foundation of our great country. But is noise the main issue with flights at OLF?

No. The main issue comes down to sacrifice. Is it too much to carry some earplugs or pause a conversation while the Growlers are flying? What are we willing to sacrifice to live in such a great place?

The men and women of our military have chosen to sacrifice everything, and for what? Great pay? Long deployments, missing birthdays and anniversaries? No, and no.

They do it for us, and they do it for love of country. Now that is a sacrifice.

Thank you for what you do and contributing to our island as great friends and neighbors.

David Ford

Coupeville