Submitted by Port Commissioner Jack Miles
November 3, 2010
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To all the Concerned Citizens of Mason County:
I spent the night reliving the horrible and unnecessary comments Mr. Bloomfield brought to the Port meeting on Tuesday. However, it is time I clear the air and address Mr. Bloomfield’s question.
After a night of praying for answers as to what to do about Mr. Bloomfield’s comment’s at the meeting, I realized I already knew the answer. So I am writing to clear the air about my Military discharge.
First, I am proud to be an American and I am proud that I served my county in the United States Marine Corps. I was discharged from the Marines under "Other Than Honorable Conditions" and here's the reason why; at the time of my service, President Clinton came into office. One of his campaign promises was to lift the ban on gays in the military. At that time, I had several gay friends in the military, mostly women. I was hopeful that President Clinton would be able to follow through with his campaign promise.
I grew up in San Diego, California and had a few gay friends that so desperately wanted to serve their country too, but had fear they would be exposed if they joined. As did I have friends in the military that were gay and feared being exposed. After President Clinton tried to make that a reality, the rank and file of the armed forces were running scared and began a witch hunt to get as many gay military personnel out as possible before or if this would happen. At the time, I was not shy about where I stood with gays in the military, nor am I now. The unfortunate situation that resulted from my position was, the military tried to get me to turn over names of all of my friends who were gay and who I thought might be gay....AND I REFUSED! I was told if I didn't provide names, I would be tried for obstruction of Justice and conduct unbecoming a United States Marine. Rather than give up their names and put them through the humiliation, I took the deal to leave the Marine Corps under other than honorable conditions.
But let me make one thing perfectly clear, that piece of paper does not change the fact that I served my country with honor and I am proud I was able to protect my fellow Marines and I would do it again.
I am utterly sad that it has come to this and I want to personally apologize for not being upfront on Tuesday. My hope was that I would not have to tell this story, but it appears Mr. Bloomfield will stop at nothing to spread a horrible lie and make me look bad. So please forgive me from the bottom of my heart. I thought what I said Tuesday was the right thing to do at the time and it was never meant to mislead you in any way. I just thought I could stand by my statement that "I served my country and I did it well" would be enough, however it got the best of me last night.
So to answer Mr. Bloomfield’s question, I will not resign as your representative. I protected my fellow Marines, this country and I will continue to protect you, "The Concerned Citizens of Mason County".
Semper Fi,
Jack Miles, Commissioner
Port of Shelton
Oh, Jack. Bloomfield is a pig (see the pictures of him on this blog to confirm this is not libel, but observation!).
ReplyDeleteYou are an honorable person Jack, and those of us who have come to know you through our fight to keep our air breathable are happy to call you friend. I am sorry that Bloomfield felt the need to call you out, and I am sorry that you felt compelled to respond.
It is none of his business, and none of my business, and it has absolutely nothing to do with whether or nor you are a competent public servant. In that regard, you are. You are one of the few public servants who care about the citizens and their concerns.
In fact, you are being attacked by Bloomfield and Hupp right now for doing what you did in the military: Sticking up for people you feel deserve to be protected. Thank you for that, Jack - then and now!
Don't stop doing what you know to be right, and don't bow your head to people who are not worthy to shine your shoes.
Thank you, Jack, from the bottom of my heart, for your continuing efforts to save the lives of the citizens of Shelton and Mason County, and in particular my children and me. And thank you for your service to your country, Jack, and to your fellow soldiers.
I guess it's time to get fierce with these bad boys.
If Bloomfield wants to take personal shots at you during a port meeting, and if the Hupp sits there quietly and does not tell him that he is out of order, and that his comments have nothing to do with the port commission meeting, then obviously they have made a conscious decision to take the gloves off. So be it.
Since Team Hupp has decided to take the fight outside the arena of being a port commissioner, and into the arena of the personal, they better hope that the investigative reporters in ShelDon Land don't get busy finding dirt on them.
You are a good person, Jack, and don't lose a moments sleep worrying about what the likes of these evil-doers.
Your friend,
Katherine Price
Bloomfield is a stooge for people that want to undermine and discredit Jack Miles, because he can’t be bought off like the rest of them.
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky to have a man of courage and ethics like Jack Miles as our Port Commissioner.
Jack’s military service is history that is irrelevant to his position as a Shelton Port Commissioner.
We should all thank Jack for his service to this our country.
Claude you took the words right out of my mouth.
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing this letter and being honest with the Mason Co. residents. As a good friend of yours for many years, I can say that I know for a fact that you are an honorable man. You also served your country honorably, as you are doing now as a Port Commissioner. Thanks for standing up for all of us who want the best for our country residents. God bless you, Jack.
ReplyDeleteYour friend,
Cheryl Farrell