If Navy must leave Whidbey, end reserve status of Ebey

Last time I wrote, I warned what Sound Defense Alliance wanted to do to Naval Station Everett and NAS Whidbey Island. Namely when a Sound Defense Alliance — which Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve are members of — spokesman wrote, “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.”

Now we are addressing escalating legal attack with this injunction threat reported in the Feb. 17 Herald. I remind patriotic Americans that I support OLF Coupeville flight operations and our troops.

So with aforementioned lawsuits alongside collusion such as when Ebey Landing’s National Historic Reserve Manager Kristin Griffin spoke at a 2018 Sound Defense Alliance fundraiser; we Americans need to reconsider future support for Ebey’s historic reserve. Therefore, I submit the path forward to preserve the reserve is for new Ebey’s NHR leaders to graciously accept NAS Whidbey Island’s use of OLF Coupeville as part of the reserve’s unbroken historical record alongside Fort Casey. Otherwise, some like I are forced to impugn Ebey’s NHR continued existence.

I also ask Naval Station Everett supporters to please be more vocal. Your awesome Mayor Cassie Franklin certainly deserves grass-roots backup to counteract Sound Defense Alliance’s lawsuit.

Oh and this sortie is dedicated to the quiet professional “Miss Lippy” formerly of VAQ-133 Wizards who I am unsure if I saw my biggest fan fly her EA-18G Growler. Thanks for being American awesome.

Joe A. Kunzler

Sedro-Woolley

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