Honest Promotion of the US Armed Forces in the Puget Sound Area

In parts of the Puget Sound area, there are ongoing concerns related to maintaing a local military presence for training purposes.

Some may feel like more is better.

Some may feel that the Navy should make plans to leave the area:

“When push comes to shove, the only way in which NAS Whidbey can restore the balance and become a good neighbor is by folding up their tent and leaving us be.”

My take:

The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.

Not complaining, not trying to get the Navy to leave. Not trying to shut down training.

I am indifferent to jet noise on Whidbey Island. I know it is a larger concern based on where people are situated on Whidbey or elsewhere in the region; Olympic National Park, San Juan Islands, B.C., Port Townsend, etc.

I am not anti-government, anti-military or anti-law enforcement.

The US Armed Forces should be promoted in honest ways.

One of the messages we see goes something like this:

NAS Whidbey has been here since WWII. Navy crews will not be able to operate safely without training operations conducted on Whidbey Island.

Most people are probably not asking for the Navy to leave. Concerns seem to be about adding more flights and jets.

Even if NAS Whidbey was shut down, training would continue at other locations. MCAS El Toro is one example of many bases that have been closed over the years. Training goes on.

The US has vast holdings in the form of bombing ranges, missile test ranges, federal lands appropriate for nuclear weapons testing, etc. War games and military training might be conducted in these areas without bothering anyone.

June 21, 2019 Whidbey News-Times

Sound Off: Anti-jet noise activists’ narrative not rooted in reality

“Navy personnel and their young families are among our most committed and vibrant community members. In addition to ensuring a superlative national defense, they perform countless hours of community service and involvement.”

A superlative national defense?

The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.

July 30, 2019 The Seattle Times

Navy on Whidbey Island is a matter of ‘national security’

Have NAS Whidbey jets operated in any war won by the US?

March 1, 2020 Peninsula Daily News

Navy eyeing SEALs training at state parks

From comments:

“Small price to pay for your freedom you seem to take for granted…”

Local press and hometown pride:

“For the past couple of years, the Whidbey News-Times paid the insurance for the Veterans Day Parade, about $200, because it was a small way of saying thank you to the men and women who sacrificed so that we may have our liberties, including our Freedom of Speech.”

Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?

Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?

Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?

Military Town – Letter to the Editor:

“Enjoy the sound of freedom, and if that happens to sound like war to you, I suggest you travel to a real war-zone and see how it’s different because I assure you, you aren’t qualified to describe what a war zone is.

The electronic attack community, the Growlers, and men and women of the U.S. Navy make sure of it every day.”

Every day except on 911.

Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper:

“This Presidents Day, let us never forget the extraordinary men and women serving our Country. As we remember our founders that formed our great Nation, we also remember our Service Members fiercely defending the freedoms we value every day.”

Secretary Esper,

While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.

Can you help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?

December 21st 2019 KOMO News

Legal age to buy cigarettes, vapes raised to 21 nationwide

“Signed into law by President Donald Trump Friday as part of the new $1.4 trillion spending bill, a new measure prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.”

Secretary Esper,

If The Troops defend American rights and freedoms, what becomes of those freedoms when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?

Again, the US should maintain strong and ready military forces.

In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical security. That’s as good as it gets.

In terms of American rights and freedoms-The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.

Legal marijuana, concealed carry of handguns, semi automatic rifle sales, federal minimum drinking age, sports betting, voting rights, bump stock ban, interracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.

None of these are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.

As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.

If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas let’s hear all about it.

Just Be Honest.

Stop with the glorification of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.

More here:

“…ready to fight and protect our freedom…”

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

Freedom Comes And Goes – Joint Chiefs of Staff Play No Part

Liberty And Justice For All?

DOD Progress Report

Questions We’d Love To See In The Made For TV Debates

The Cold War Had Ended

Unsustainable Military Spending