Editor;

I thank Mr. Van Voorst for his letter asking (for) more boisterous support of Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

There was one point that Mr. Van Voorst raised that I feel needs empathizing, namely the NAS Whidbey encroachers’ desire to close NAS Whidbey Island.

One only need Google, “Repeated calls to the base and the liaison there are a total waste of time. I’m so glad to be spending my summer in Canada, out of the Evil Empire. Besides, those planes and pilots are obsolete in the Drone Age. Close the Base.”

That’s Ken Pickard last summer stating his agenda being to “close the base” because, as Pickard said later in the comment thread, “The NAS Base keeps the island dysfunctional.”

Perhaps if Mr. Pickard and his compatriots would like to receive eminent domain, then by all means, keep complaining.

Those of us who live in Sedro Woolley, Seattle, Springfield, Mass. and Sarasota, Fla. really do not want to spend hundreds of millions in taxes on a new outlying field instead of tens of millions removing agitating ingrates who lack patriotic duty to be fiscally responsible and support our troops, please.

Finally, individually speaking, being an Oak Harbor Navy Leaguer also means to me a privileged chance to thank the sailors in person and speak from the heart my appreciation for living in a free country.

Our loud troops and equally loud first responders ensure America is not dysfunctional, thank you. If you agree, please join the Oak Harbor Navy League at this crucial time.

Joe A. Kunzler

Sedro Woolley