Is that too much to ask?

Editor’s Note: This article is part of the CNMI Perspectives, an occasional addendum to the Saipan Tribune’s Opinion section, soliciting the viewpoints, opinions, and thoughts of experts, academics, and members of the public on a specific topic. This topic explores the impending militarization of the Commonwealth.

I feel I should write this to let young generation in our community know why I am supporting the proposal of the military pursuant to the draft Environmental Impact Statement, more commonly referred to as EIS. Last Friday night, May 1, 2015, I was going to summarize my personal views but unfortunately I was deprived of the three minutes accorded to me. So, here I am again asking you to kindly print this letter so your readers may understand why I am supporting the military’s proposal.

I understanding that the military is planning to use specifically designated area on Pagan for training and use “inert bomb” for their aerial training. I suggest you check the dictionary for the word “inert.” An inert bomb is not an explosive bomb, but instead it uses wet sand or cement. In the final analysis, the military will most likely use an isolated area close to the volcano on the north side of Pagan Island. The training of military personnel with live ammunitions will probably be located close to the volcano area. The total area the military is proposing to utilize on Pagan is a small percentage of the overall area of the island. I fervently appeal to the residents to please make sacrifices for the sake of the rest of us in the CNMI. After all, we too have pecuniary interest in Pagan.

The question that comes to mind is, “Do we need to train our military personnel and why?” The answer is unequivocally “YES” because the two U.S. territories, namely Guam and the CNMI, are in the Pacific Ocean and United States must be prepared to protect/defend us in time of conflict.

I watch CNN News nightly and I am deeply concerned with what I see, about one of the leaders in Asia who is showing off his power. I want to be sure that the U.S. Defense Department is readily able to counter any attempt by an adversary to cause us any harm. This is one of many reasons that I am in support of the military. I do not want to suffer through another ugly war!

Uncle Sam has never asked for any help except for a small percentage of real estate on Pagan to train our military to ensure that they are “combat ready” in time of conflict. Conversely, Uncle Sam, even before we became a U.S. Commonwealth, has helped us improve our life with the hundreds of millions of dollars they have poured into the CNMI and never asked for anything in return. Let us show our appreciation by letting them use a small area in Pagan to train the military. It that too much to ask? (David M. Sablan Sr., Special to the Saipan Tribune)