Editor,

Dear Publisher Keven Graves, amen to your Sept. 21 column in the Whidbey News-Times regarding the controversial Outlying Field Coupeville and Naval Air Station Whidbey Growlers. Well written.

Twilight tour orders brought Bert Letrondo and his family to Whidbey Island in 1964, where he and wife, Betty, raised seven children in the Penn Cove neighborhood after his retirement in 1967.

Permanent change of station orders brought Kenneth Wayne Martin and his family back to Whidbey Island in 1976, where he and his wife raised two children on Zylstra Road. Neither Penn Cove Park, nor Zylstra Road, were under the direct flight path of the Intruders and Prowlers overhead. Nonetheless, the sound of freedom was evident all hours of the day and night, albeit, less frequently in the 1960s, 1970s and ‘80s. We accepted and embraced the Navy way of life.

Any hearing loss we developed over the years was attributed to the natural process of aging. Wildlife, fauna and flora, appear to continue to thrive on the island, including the OLF Coupeville area.

I agree with Mr. Graves that the Admiral’s Cove community and Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve group made a conscientious decision with full disclosure when purchasing real estate under the direct flight path of NAS Whidbey aircraft, using OLF Coupeville to practice their carrier landing “touch and goes.”

So, let the Navy Growlers be, already. We are truly blessed to live with Sound of Freedom roaring overhead.

Aida Letrondo Martin

Oak Harbor