Fellow veterans and interested citizens of western Maine,
A very troubling letter written by several local veterans has recently come to my attention and I would like to address the issue with my brothers in arms. It is the issue of the proposed airspace change for Western Maine and comments that were sent to state Rep. Tom Saviello for his opinion on the proposal.
First, I would encourage you to review my qualifications to discuss this issue, and second, I would like to explain that Rep. Saviello is a patriot, not a hypocrite; nor is his opinion socialistic or anti-military as stated in the letter he received. I have advised him on the military and civilian aviation aspects of the proposal while he has addressed his area of expertise in the environmental areas.
We veterans are fortunate to have served our country in the military, and to judge a person as unworthy to hold an opinion because of their lack of service is unfair. Rep. Saviello joined and committed himself to the Armed Forces, but had his attempt at service negated by a reduction in force. He was willing but was denied his opportunity. I know Tom and he is a patriot and loves our country as much as we do. It helps to know the full story.
In regards to the airspace proposal put forth by the Massachusetts Air National Guard: plain and simple, it is an issue of a state’s rights versus the convenience of another state. It is an issue of our quality of life in Maine versus the cost of doing business for Massachusetts. This is not an issue of whether our pilots are prepared for combat. I cannot imagine a local Army Guard unit would take over all the local farmers fields to operate tanks and APCs because it is more convenient than trucking the equipment to Ft. Drum. This is the case with the Massachusetts ANG with the exception that we are dealing now with the airspace above us, not the ground under our feet.
For thirty plus years, the Massachusetts ANG has conducted training off the coast of Massachusetts and recently in newer low level airspace adjoining Ft. Drum. Contrary to verbal and written statements by the Mass. ANG, there are no new low altitude training requirements due to the events of September 11th, 2001 (nine years ago) The Air National Guard proposal is rife with misinformation and unsupported conclusions.
I have read the proposal and been involved with the process since it was introduced. I know the facts, I have studied the data, and I consider myself an expert in the field of military and civilian aviation. Although I am very much opposed to the proposal, please do not question my patriotism or the patriotism of others such as Warren Cook, general manager of Saddleback Mountain and a decorated Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran for his opposition. For my qualifications to discuss this matter please visit my Web site here.
Mike Wells, Lt Colonel (retired)
Wilton
well said.
Thank you for a well thought out letter. I hope those who wrap themselves too tightly in our flag realize that not all vets agree with them. I too served proudly and oppose low level flights over Franklin County. When I lived in Winthrop, Mass one summer many years ago, I was right under final approach to one of the runways for Logan. I would not want to repeat that experience given there are alternatives.
It’s hard for me to believe that anyone should feel compelled to defend their patriotism simply for being opposed to the airspace changes in our state. It has nothing to do with patriotism and anyone who thinks it does doesn’t have a clue what it means to be an American. Remember Joe McCarthy?
First things first. Tom Saviello is the best legislator this area has seen in a long time. I have seen him at countless local events working for what is best for Franklin County. He is personally involved in the lives of the people he represents.
Rep Saviello took time to read the Massachusetts Air National Guard’s proposal to fly low level jets over western Maine. The proposal as written is junk and he asked for more legitimate analysis. Before anyone makes comments in public they too should read the document. The Environmental Impact Statement is full of errors, false claims and unsupported conclusions.
I too am a vet and served 30 years to protect your freedom of speech. Say what you want about the EIS but try to get the facts right.
Colonel Tom Mauzaka, USAFR (ret)
Very well said! Too many people-veterans and otherwise-are too easily jumping on the reactionary bandwagon when patriotism is invoked. We need to take a little time to reason things out before taking a stance. Is that process being forgotten?
Thank you Colonel Wells for your very thoughtful letter.
The issue of low military flights isn’t a simple matter of who the biggest patriot is. Low flights can have many negative effects that must be taken into consideration. Low flights are not right for every type of terrain and there’s more than one location where they can take place. The purpose of the EIS process is to explore all possible consequences and make the best judgment.
I am deeply grateful to my military for the many sacrifices they make on behalf of our country, but I have been very disappointed by the careless approach of Mass ANG to the EIS process. This process is essential to preserving the democratic system we all profess to love. If the military is not required to account for their decisions, it won’t be long before we’re not living in a democracy.
Toni Seger
Western Maine Matters
Western Maine Cultural Alliance
I join in applauding Col Wells’s excellent letter in support of Mr Saviello, and other comments affirming our rights as citizens in American democracy. In contrast, those who offer only ill-conceived, poorly informed comments do nothing to advance our democracy, security and well-being. They choose to contribute only smoke and noise rather than illumination and understanding. Rather than serve patriotism, they choose to provoke conflict, behaving like wannabe military or chicken hawks with little regard for the consequences of their actions. We’ve had enough of that (I sincerely hope) and now we’re at work on the real causes of our problems.