Monday, November 18, 2013

Let's share the use of Tate's Hell State Forest with our soldiers

 
As Veterans Day 2013 slowly fades from our collective memories, I take into somber consideration the sacrifices made by the men and women throughout the history of this country that have worn and continue to wear the uniform of our nation’s armed forces.
 
I personally can't think of a better way for the Franklin County community to honor and respect the sacrifices made by our veterans and current military personnel than by sharing the use of Tate's Hell State Forest with our soldiers to conduct military training exercises.  The terrain in Tate's Hell is said to be similar to the terrain our soldiers will likely encounter while fighting in campaigns on foreign soil.

 
The freedom that we hold so dear here in Franklin County to hunt, fish, camp and take in the natural scenic beauty of Tate's Hell was fought for and won by a well-trained U.S. Military.  Training that has been essential in securing the freedoms that we all enjoy today as a community and as a nation.

The freedom to not only enjoy Tate's Hell ourselves, but to also enjoy our safeguarded rights to stand without fear to say no to the very soldiers who will likely fight without hesitation and die with honor to preserve our freedom and rights to do so.

All of which saddens me because my very own father Staff Sergeant Abe Johnson lost the use of his eyes on a battlefield in Rome, Italy during World War II, fighting to preserve our very right to say no.  Also sadden because our personal liberties have overshadowed our responsibility as a community and as a nation to ensure that the men and women fighting to preserve those liberties are at their very best.


Throughout the history of this country, if it hadn’t been for the sacrifices of a well-trained military we would likely be speaking Japanese, German or some other foreign language and prohibited all together from owning a gun or allowed to enjoy the simple pleasures of fishing and camping in Tate’s Hell. 

Franklin County played an important historic role during World War II, where over in Carrabelle soldiers were stationed and trained at Camp Gordon Johnston in preparation for a global war won by U.S. and Allied Forces.  

Should 21st Century Franklin County do any less than our World War II counterparts?  Should we continue with our demands that our freedom and rights to Tate's Hell take precedent over the country’s needs to maintain a well-trained military?  

If we can’t find a way to share this vast forest with our military personnel, then we better start now insisting that several foreign languages be taught as mandatory courses in schools all across what is currently known today as America.

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