Exercise duty to question OLF

The U.S. Navy is still attempting to build an outlying landing field in northeastern North Carolina. They’ve given the local population only about six weeks to voice its opinion before deciding which of the six sites, two of which are in Gates County and two others in Camden County, are given closer consideration.

It looks like Navy officials learned a lesson from Washington County about how people can organize and voice their opinions if given time. Perhaps that’s why they gave residents such short notice before making their decision about which sites to study.

I am a staunch supporter of the military. In fact, I am retired from the military. I feel that our men and women in uniform deserve the best training that we can give them before we send them out to face the enemy. But is an OLF in northeastern North Carolina the best way to ensure that?

I think that decision requires more research and consideration than it has been given. From the research I have done on the subject, it seems that someone must have just said “Hey, an OLF in eastern N.C. would be a good idea,” and the Navy went right to looking for a place to build one without even looking at other options.

For us to sit back and say that the OLF should happen, because the Navy says it needs one, and without holding those accountable who made the decision, would go against the very principles upon which this country was founded. It is our duty as citizens to raise our voices and be heard.

Even if you are in favor of the OLF, you should do all that you can to make sure that it is what you think it is. It may not be the best deal.

GARRY MOORE

Gates County