The Sound of Freedom

     For the past couple of days, the Marine Corps out of Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point have been doing training maneuvers offshore.  Because I have a home in close proximity to Cape Lookout and my office is near Bogue Air Field, the sounds of planes, helicopters and the occasional "boom" has become the norm this week.  Their training has brought back some reminders of living on Goose Creek Island.  How many times have we heard those jets screaming across Pamlico Point?  I can remember seeing the night sky lit up many times from their flares when they were doing target practice out at "the target ship".
     Many of us have also witnessed some tragedies of the Marines training near our shore.  I came across a newspaper article from August 1987 when a Cherry Point Harrier jet crashed in a field on Goose Creek Island. Here is the article.

“Plane Crashes With 2 Marines.” The Washington Post. East Carolina University Joyner Library, August 13, 1987. Web. January 09, 2013.

     I know there have been numerous controversies over the years surrounding the Marine Corps activities in Pamlico Sound. This Journal entry is not to inflict any arguments concerning their use of our area waters.  This entry is just merely a reflection of a memory.  I am proud of our service men and women and the wonderful job they do to protect our country.  Those pilots who fly over our "little neck of the woods"  only see Goose Creek Island as a spot on a map, but one thing about it, if Goose Creek Island ever got invaded....well, those invaders won't stand a chance of survival because those Marine Corps pilots sure can aim pretty good.  I know, I've heard them!