Oak Harbor buoyed by bombing

By Brian Kelly

Herald Writer

OAK HARBOR — Residents of this military town are heartened to finally see some punch behind the nation’s tough talk on terrorism.

The United States launched air strikes against suspected terrorist camps inside Afghanistan on Sunday and flexed its military muscle again Monday. From people with military connections to those who had none, Oak Harbor residents welcomed the action.

"I think we’re doing the right thing," said Carol Dotlich, the wife of a retired Navy sailor and the stepdaughter of an Army veteran. Freedom was at stake, Dotlich said as she paused outside the Oak Harbor Safeway.

"We’ve got to stand up for our rights," she said. "We’ve got to go in and take care of business.

"What else were we going to do besides bombing? We don’t seem to be able to negotiate with them," Elizabeth Lampers of Coupeville said.

Lampers recalled a phone call two weeks ago with her older brother, an Air Force veteran of 16 years, who is expecting to be sent to the conflict.

"I asked point blank: You going?"

They then exchanged good-byes.

"I said, ‘Be careful. Come back.’ "

Oak Harbor, home to the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, has a military population of about 7,560, with about 10,580 others who are connected to the base through family ties. And there are about 3,000 military retirees who call the area home. The air station itself supports squadrons of electronic warfare aircraft, as well as patrol and reconnaissance squadrons.

Dozens of full-size American flags line the boulevards of the town’s main streets, while readerboards shout out messages such as "Our Military, Our Heroes."

Critics could not be found in town. Too little? Too late? Residents would point to no problems with the military air strikes against targets in Afghanistan.

"I think you’ll get a lot of positive reaction around here," resident Barb Johnson said.

Beyond the military, President Bush received much praise, as well.

"He waited until he knew what he was going to do," Johnson said. And she added that the military response was justified and necessary to stop future terrorist attacks.

"Go to the top; take the culprits out of there," she said.

Others praised the timing, and the message that the attacks were aimed at Osama bin Laden and the Taliban that rules Afghanistan.

"I think it’s good that we are making it clear that we’re not attacking the Afghan people," Monica Clifton of Oak Harbor said. And it was apparent the United States took time to plan and prepare before the bombing.

"It wasn’t a knee-jerk reaction," she said.

You can call Herald Writer Brian Kelly at 425-339-3422 or send e-mail to kelly@heraldnet.com.

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