Bombing Range

Mr. Beadle, first let me congratulate you on being so well informed on the goings on at the Avon Park Bombing Range. By the way, the name "Bombing Range" should be a hint. The sound that you hear, sir, is the sound of freedom. Jets flying at Mach 2 or better generate a sonic boom.

Would you rather those jets bear the mark of the stars and stripes, or a crescent moon? And would you like the Air Force public relations people let you, and everyone else on the planet, know how they are preparing for the next attack on our country, or to not so quietly go about their business? My guess is that you migrated south to our great state from some well insulated Midwestern cave.

The Avon Park Bombing Range is the largest live-fire facility east of the Mississippi River, and has been in existence since at least the early 1940s. Last time I checked, it has been 62 years since anyone dropped a "nuke" on anything, and it was hard to find reliable witnesses then.

The concussion from even the primitive Hiroshima bomb would have destroyed Avon Park and most of Sebring. Today's toys can easily erase Central Florida. Your source lacks credibility.

Most natives have grown accustomed to the occasional ground rumble and window rattle. And we are darn proud to hear and feel it. If that sort of noise bothers you, perhaps you would feel more at ease in a London subway or any market in the Middle East or the 92nd floor of the World Trade Center? Oh gosh, I forgot.

You're darn right the military is lying to you; they know what kind of people they are dealing with. If I were you, I would be less concerned with our side of practicing with live ammunition than the other side practicing on you. Dick Cheney aside, the only reason you are breathing oxygen today is through the efforts of the U.S. military.

I don't necessarily agree with the philosophy and agendas of our so-called leaders. However, the wolf is kept at bay by the grace of God and the diligence of our troops. And guess what, they train here to die for you. You should be baking brownies and giving these boys a parade every week instead of kicking them between the legs because they disturb your afternoon nap.

Michael F. Reark
Sebring