For the past three years, I’ve attended meetings, presentations and rallies, signed postcards, written letters and hoped that the U.S. Navy would minimize its presence in the skies over the Salish Sea, the Olympic Peninsula, San Juan Islands, Coupeville and Ebey’s National Historic Reserve. The hope ended recently following the announcement by the secretary of The Navy that basically said, “Hell no, we’re going to do what we wanted to do from the very beginning.” And they are.
On the first day of spring, I did what anyone who loves to garden would do. I got my trowel and gloves, seed packets and headed outside to enjoy the beautiful day. I had barely started when WHAM! Here they came. (They, of course, being the dreaded Growlers.) I covered my ears, left everything on the ground and ran inside. Once inside, I closed all the windows and doors on a beautiful day.
It goes on all day and late into the night. Last night they were still flying at 11 p.m. I finally gave up trying to sleep and got out of bed.
The noise level of the jets is overwhelming. It is painful. It takes over everything. I can’t hear the TV, listen to music or carry on a phone conversation. The house shakes. I am a captive in my own house.
The Navy has purposefully made the decision to thumb their noses at the residents of Whidbey. They have no intention of collaborating with their neighbors. They are showing their power and destroying the lives and businesses of the people living in central Whidbey.
My husband says it’s not over, that we’re not through fighting. I am devastated by the noise. It’s worse than I ever imagined. We can’t afford to move. This is our home. But it is ruined.
What do I see ahead? A summer of jet noise all day and night. I was ready to give up. It all seems so futile. But they are not going to win. This island does not belong to the Navy.
You don’t have to live here to care about what is happening. This could happen anywhere you call home. Stand with the many people who are taking on the military and fighting to preserve our life style and the incredible Ebey’s National Historic reserve. Speak up.
Roxallanne Medley
Coupeville
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