VetVoice Does Not Speak for Veterans Organizations

Jim Harbison

In spite of all the articles by the liberal press there is not unified veterans support for the Organ Mountains National Monument. Local coffee shop owner Bernie Digman appears to be the spokesman for the VetVoiceFoundation, a nationally funded group whose mission statement includes, “to help build a larger progressive infrastructure in this country”. His group does not represent me nor does it represent legitimate veterans’ organizations. By charter, most federally recognized veteran organizations are restricted to veteran related legislation. As a kid the only vacations I ever knew were camping, hunting and fishing and in the military I spent much of my career living in the forests and mountains of Europe, England, Greece, Turkey, Panama, Vietnam and the deserts of Egypt. Many other veterans have experienced the beauty of nature around the world.

These experiences gave me the deep-rooted appreciation of our environment. We need to understand that a Presidential Executive Order creating a National Monument imposes significant restrictions that will prevent our grandchildren or future generations from enjoying the same experiences.

Creating a National Monument will not bring tens of thousands of visitors, $23 million or 350 local jobs because there is nothing within the proposed Monument that will attract the number of visitors experienced by Carlsbad Caverns. If this area is so compelling, why haven’t we already been inundated with eco-tourists? Designating it a monument only imposes restrictions on areas which have been open to the public for years. Read rest of column here: News New Mexico

VetVoice Does Not Speak for Veterans Organizations