by Mary Hackett (RN, retired), Stevensville
I am writing to take exception to the letter for Chief Warrant Officer Michael Wilson of Florence, in which he disparaged a letter sent in by Ed Sperry of Stevensville. First of all, I would like to thank Mr. Wilson for his outstanding service to the country. Next, I would like to introduce him to Ed Sperry of Stevensville.
Ed is a 93-year-old veteran of United Stated Air Force who was born in Nebraska, one of five children. His father died when he was 13. The family then moved to Washington State. They moved to a farm managed by his brother-in-law, who was 10 years older than Ed. Ed said he was his lifelong mentor. He ran the farm for Japanese owners who were in internment during WWII. The brother-in-law was a Marine and a medic in WWII, and made eight amphibious landings, including the famous battle of Tarawa. The Japanese friend served in the decorated Japanese/U.S military unit that fought in Italy.
Ed graduated from Washington State University with a degree in botany. It was there me met and married his wife Betty, who was a teacher. They were married for 64 years until Betty’s passing.
Ed was in the ROTC program and went on to serve in the newly formed United States Air Force, retiring as a Colonel. He worked in research and development and acquisitions. He was part of the team that developed the high-altitude aircraft ejection program. He worked on the Minute Man missile, and taught ROTC at the University of Montana. He was based all over the country.
After retirement, Ed and Betty ran a small truck farm, and he served as a Justice of the Peace for Ravalli County and as a Stevensville Town Judge.
He was instrumental in forming the military cemetery in Missoula. The work that is dearest to his heart, though, is the 30 years he served as State Commander and State Chaplain of the American Legion. He was also instrumental in helping form and maintain the American Legion fatality marker program which places crosses along the highway at sites of fatal traffic accidents. He was active in this program for 20 years. Ed’s philosophy is, “There is always something greater than self.”
Howard S. says
I read Mr. Wilson’s letter and did not see any disparagement. He clearly disagrees with Mr. Sperry’s opinions on the subject, but that is not disparagement. Someone expressing an opposing viewpoint is not a personal attack. I also do not see how giving us Mr. Sperry’s resume is relevant. I vehemently disagree with most of the opinions Mr. Sperry expresses in his letters, regardless of his life history.
Gomez says
Totally agree. Whatever his life story may or may not be has no relevance to whether the claims he makes have factual backing or not. Military service, waving a flag or hoisting a crucifix does not make one’s comments above scrutiny.