Who in their right mind approved the opening line of “Growing discontent: Uncertainty surrounds future of U.S.-Japan military alliance” (article, March 6), which accentuates the “long-suffering residents” on Okinawa?

How unfortunate for Americans and Okinawans long committed to the cooperative effort for lasting peace in the Pacific to be completely overlooked. Surely the fault lies in the seismic shift in Stars and Stripes to patronize the liberal left. We must not forget that those who read your paper in future years will assume you recorded history correctly.

While Washington and Tokyo are encouraged to think about a Plan B, will Stars and Stripes push forward with its own “Plan B” and “Be more balanced”? In this 65th anniversary of the return to peace on Okinawa, what an opportunity to report stories of support for the military presence.

Perhaps you could start by interviewing residents in rest homes who were cared for in the resettlement camps following the war. With few exceptions, history has yet to properly document the prewar planning that included the post-war emphasis on resettling the displaced civilians. Left to the liberals, the relocation camps are repeatedly called “concentration camps,” with total disregard for the extraordinary effort of the American forces to care for the displaced civilians.

With nearly fifteen years on island, I am constantly encouraged by the Okinawan people — a people of peace. That peace comes with a price. The question is, does the majority on island see the military presence as a price worth paying for?

Lt. Col. Bo Russell (retired)Yomitan, Okinawa

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