KEEPING THE PEARL

Last week I wrote a letter to the Chief of the Park Planning and Special Studies section of the Northeast Region of the National Park Service. As with a considerable number of fellow Virginians, I am asking that the NPS assume control and responsibility for maintaining Fort Monroe after the Army vacates the facility in 2011. The fort has been a significant part of our national and cultural history since it’s’ inception in the l600’s. I could write a book (already several have been published) about the dynamic events that occurred during this installation’s 400 plus years.

Ideally, the BRAC folks would have left Ft. Monroe as an active duty post. Unfortunately, this was not to be. I’ve developed a close bond to the facility during and after my military tenure, but that’s another story. My contention is that Fort Monroe should operate as a public park that will continue to serve our citizens. In my opinion, only the National Park Service has the talent, funds, and personnel to effectively manage and maintain the facility. Local (including State) services are at best limited, and tend to be manipulated by private (as in self-interest) concerns.

In an excellently written article in the Daily Press, Scott Butler gave l0 reasons to make Fort Monroe a national park. I can add several more, but suffice to say that we need to keep this Pearl in the public domain. Other NPS managed facilities have proven to be economically and professionally well operated. We need to act in support of keeping this national treasure open and available for now and future generations.

              - The Clutterman

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