Nowhere in the mission or vision statements of Washington State Parks does military combat training appear. Unauthorized discharge of firearms of all kinds in state parks is a gross misdemeanor. According to the Leader, the Navy has already practiced combat with “realistic-looking” weapons firing paintballs in the Memory’s Vault peace park atop the bluff at Fort Worden, without a permit. Why is that not a violation of state law? How is that not a gesture of contempt?

Fort Worden’s own arts, recreation and culture-centric mission does not include combat training, and further states that the economic vitality of the park is a direct function of its partners and the community. The Navy is not a partner. Navy SEAL teams practicing there constitute a direct threat to peaceful public use.

How would beach training that extends into April not disrupt the nesting of endangered species? Federal and state wildlife agencies were never consulted – how is that ethical or legal?

The Leader’s focus on the marina’s launch ramp, and its tacit agreement with port director Larry Crockett’s assessment that the training is “not intrusive,” is puzzling, since the argument is not about begrudging anyone the use of boat ramps. The main focus of public concern is the waters, beaches and upland areas, particularly those that border on residential neighborhoods. Combat training in our midst is psychologically intrusive. Washington Administrative Code 352-32 defines “intimidate” as “to engage in conduct that would make a reasonable person fearful.”

Now that we all know about the training, some Navy personnel say it makes us even more attractive, as “the enemy who expects them.” Do they not understand the depth of public anger? Do they not remember that civilians control the military? Such people like to call us anti-military, but they’re wrong. We’re anti-bully.

KAREN SULLIVAN

Port Townsend