THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 10, 1995 TAG: 9512080004
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
I've never written a letter to the editor before, but I suppose there's always a straw that breaks the camel's back. The press surrounding the latest ``Navy incident'' prompts me to write.
It is amazing to me that the actions of so few can destroy the reputations of so many. Once again, the Navy is told to stand down for a day of ``personal behavior'' training. Imagine if Congress had to take a training day for every one of its members' personal-behavior blunders. The budget bill might get signed sometime in the year 2000.
I'm curious to know which segment of society is composed 100 percent of perfect people.
As a naval officer and aviator with 13 years of service, I've made four deployments far from home and family and participated in combat actions against Libya in 1986 and Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. In two months I deploy again for six months of duty at sea requiring sacrifice you can't understand unless you've lived it. I've never raped, pillaged or groped. I'm just like the other 99.9 percent of naval or armed forces personnel - proud of my uniform and proud to serve.
PHIL HURNI
Lieutenant commander, U.S. Navy
Virginia Beach, Nov. 26, 1995 by CNB