by Jack Lee
Ok, this is really wrong and I'm mad! It's time to take matters into our own hands and fight back! The Navy is charging a veterans organization $400,000 a year for dock rent to keep the U.S.S. Missouri open to the public in Honolulu! What an outrage and an insult to veterans.
I'm immediately contacting the Secretary of the Navy, Donald C. Winter (and I suggest you do the same) to reconsider the Navy's idiotic decision to charge “fair market” rent for the U.S.S. Missouri Memorial.
Only a government bureaucrat like Winter could see the logic in this one, however if he wants to hang on to his job he just better straigten up and fly right!
The Secretary of Navy is under the false assumption that Federal law does not allow for the “fair market” rental charge to be waived or reduced. WRONG!
Federal law DOES provide a number of actions that can be considered as ‘in-kind’ alternatives to lease payments, such as maintenance, protection, repair, improvement or restoration work to name but a few.
It's beyond shameful that we should be charging a patriotic nonprofit organization to maintain a national treasure, a living symbol of our military sacrifice and ultimate victory in WWII.
You may wish to follow my lead and contact them too:
Secretary of the Navy
1000 Navy Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20350-1000
A copy of my letter is in comments. You can copy and paste mine or write your own, but please write!
(UPDATE: I received a reply from the Secretary of the Navy assuring me there was absolutely NOTHING he could do about this situation, despite the fact that legislators say he can and regulations affords him an alternative. His is the typical military mindset! He will not attempt to alter regulations nor admit he was wrong even if he was shown he was wrong. Military leaders are never wrong....I've seen this in my career many times, the top dogs are the worst at admitting a mistake.)
Donald C. Winter
Secretary of the Navy
1000 Navy Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20350-1000
Dear Mr. Secretary,
It has come to my attention that the United States Navy is charging "fair market" dock rent for the U.S.S. Missouri Memorial at Pear Harbor.
As a result the non-profit veterans group that is caring for "Big Mo" is forced to spend almost $400,000 in rent each year to the Navy.
My understanding of Federal law says you have the option to waive this rent in lieu of "in kind" contributions for the preservation of this national treasure and in consideration of the great good it would serve.
I urge you to immediately take steps to halt the dock rent change for the U.S.S. Missouri Memorial!
Respectfully,
(Insert your name)
You are kidding, right? If not, go get the torches
and pitchforks!