I must respond to M. Anderson’s recent “Sound off” column in the Whidbey Newws-Times as she does not seem to understand what this “real world” is about even with the 9/11 “example.”

To begin with, yes, nearly everyone who lives on, or visits Whidbey Island likes the beauty of it; even the military who are here to protect us and Whidbey. As to silence returning, forget it. The world has changed forever, even before 9/11, which all of us should never forget. These “noisy” aircraft have U.S. markings, and not the markings of someone who would harm us. They are here not only defending us from those who would attack the U.S., but to train for landing and taking off of ships that transport them to areas of need.

Our air space is not as crowded as other locations that would have to be used for training if Whidbey was not available. To use fuel to fly to some other training areas would be wasteful and extremely costly. The pilots need experience in touching down and taking off in a short space as the flight decks of aircraft carriers are mighty small compared to Paine, Boeing Field or Sea-Tac. A bit of noise while using the phone, or watching TV, sure; but it doesn’t last forever. And yes they sometimes circle directly over my home while they are using the Out-Lying Field (OLF) near Coupeville. So what? I put up with it because I know it is necessary. Can I sleep at night when they are flying over my house? Certainly, it is the “Sound of Freedom.”

Have I ever traveled outside of the Coupeville area? You bet! Was I appointed to write and defend the Navy on Whidbey? No. I do so because I know how life is in other countries. I earned the “right” by serving 11 years in the Marine Corps most of which was in the Orient, including putting my life on the line for two years in Korea. I served 20 years in the Navy, with all but three and a half years on ships steaming in parts of the world like the Mekong Delta, the Gulf of Tonkin, the South China Sea, the Yellow Sea, the Sea of Japan, and the Indian Ocean. (If you look at the world globe you may notice that these places are not exotic and desirable. I put my life on the line for you, and others earning the right of freedom. It’s too bad you did not have to sacrifice anything but were given freedom at no cost to you. Not even a history lesson.

No one really wants a war, not even the G. I. But why lie down and give up to the terrorists? Why give up the freedom we earned? War is not glamorous as sometimes shown in the movies. But war at times is necessary. The U.S. military does not start wars. Most wars are started because of the “status of force” agreements the politicians signed. Agreements to come to the aide and help defend “allies” should they be attacked or threatened. We currently are in a war that the terrorists started by attacking the U.S. Don’t forget that. And if you know of a way to eliminate the terrorists, then by all means speak up.

Ms. Anderson lives in Florida, and that to me says you can talk all about Florida, but you don’t live in Washington anymore. You parents still living on Whidbey should be able to do their own talking and have that right. You say there is no military base near your community. Too bad; as they can be beneficial to civilians and their communities. Are you aware that Florida has 20 military bases compared to Washington’s 10 bases? Washington has three military air bases to Florida’s 10 air bases. You might be better served looking around Florida and pick on them.

Yes, I know Coupeville is the county seat, and if it were not for the Navy, Oak Harbor would still be smaller than Coupeville. How would taxes go up if the military and retired military population moved out? Schools, hospitals, fire departments, police, maintenance of roads, utilities, etc., go on and the support dollars go down. More businesses would close. Islanders’ expenses would go up because there would be more driving off the island for supplies. Oh sure, there might be more Seattle, Everett, and California people moving on the island. That may not be the desirable thing (eventually). Another Mercer Island? Who wants that?

Rod Barnes

lives in Oak Harbor.