The July 19 print edition of the Bothell Reporter is the last issue of your paper I will ever read.

I cannot believe what I was reading when I saw the cartoon about the Seafair loss of U.S. Navy  activities and a young girl is saying, “So, what do we need the stupid old Navy for anyway.”

What do you think the Navy personnel who are in their watery grave on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor would think of your cartoon.

Did you give any thought to what the members of the “stupid old Navy” did at Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, the Solomons, Rabaul, Wake Island, or the sailors who fought and died on the USS Boxer, Valley Forge and Princeton in carrier action off the coast of Korea in the 50s, not to mention the Navy personnel who gave their all in submarines and the Naval aviators who paid the supreme price to protect this country.

Are you familiar with the USS Constitution or let’s give Vietnam a try. The “stupid old Navy” served on the Constitution and served proudly in Vietnam.

Have you ever heard of SEAL Team 6? Have you ever heard the names of the five-star admirals Halsey, King, Nimitz? Are you familiar with the names of Bougainville, Tarawa, Makin Island, the Gilbert Islands, New Guinea – these are places where members of the “stupid old Navy” gave their all to ensure you can have a Seafair.

I hope you think deep about what that cartoon has said. Maybe some members of the “stupid old Navy” will come knocking at your door and introduce themselves.

Major John Darracott, U.S. Marine Corps (retired), Bothell