My letter to the editor

from JoeUser Forums

I said that if Ellsworth was removed from the BRAC list, I'd write a letter to the editor of the local paper (www.rapidcityjournal.com)

I just sent this off:

'So, Ellsworth has been spared once again.  Is the attitude of the local community towards the military going to change now?
 
My husband and I were stationed at Ellsworth for 9 years.  It wasn't until we got orders and moved to another location that we realized just how poorly the personnel at Ellsworth are treated by the local community.   At our present location, almost every business offers a military discount, ranging from 10% all the way up to 25%.  I remember the one and only time we asked for military discount at a Rapid City car dealership we were literally laughed at.
 
During 9/11, when the base was conducting a 100% ID check a vehicle search coming in the gate, the residents of Box Elder did little for the personnel stuck in traffic (except complain, that is).  At our current location, the local businesses and even the private citizens were passing out bottles of water, coffee, sodas and even free food to the people stuck in the line of cars waiting to get on base.
 
Even on a day to day basis, the attitude of the local people  at our current location is plainly receptive and welcoming.  They LIKE the military folks around here, I think mainly because they realize that the Air Force has a billion dollar impact on the local economy.  I'm saddened that it took something as drastic as Ellsworth being put on the closure list for people in the locality to realize how important the Air Force's economic contribution is.
 
So, are people going to feel this way permanently?  Or will it last until the next exercise or the next time the base disrupts traffic in Box Elder?  Are they going to bear in mind how much the Rapid City area needs the base as a source of income the next time their lives are slightly inconvienienced by the military and it's personnel?
 
I and my other ex-Ellsworth resident friends will be watching with interest to see what happens....'
 
 
I'm sure that'll ruffle a few feathers, but hey.....it needed to be said.  The local community DOES have a crappy attitude towards the base and it's personnel.  Perhaps now they'll change....although I somehow doubt it.
 
 
 
 
misc
4,672 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
I must admit not coming from a military family that I know nothing about the subject, however, hopefully your letter will reach out and others will take a stand.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

Alison:  I just wanted to speak out and voice what a lot of military familes at Ellsworth feel: that they're unwelcome until it comes to the crunch, then all of a sudden the community can't do enough for them.

There isn't a car dealership in Rapid City that offers a military discount.  Around here, simply flashing a military ID will get you $500 plus off a vehicle, and that's on top off of a percentage discount.

Nobody that i know wants Rapid Citians to kiss their ass.  They simply want a little respect for their sacrifice and service.

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
My only experience in this was dating someone in the Navy. We lived in VA Beach. He attended school there, and then was stationed out of Norfolk. From what I can tell (and remember), the military was treated very well there. We received military discounts on car purchases, not to mention various other things. Housing was never a problem either. This was about 12 years ago, but I'd wager to say it's probably still the same.

Nice letter, Dharma. I hope it DOES ruffle feathers.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Maybe the attitude has to do with the impact of the base on the local economy.  Ellsworth probably is close to or better than responsible for 50% of the local economy, whereas in places like Tidewater and you current station, it is much less.  IN otherwords, they cant afford to offer a military discount in Rapid city and stay in Business.  I never lived on a small town post or base, so I did not detect any animosity. 
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Around the base here, yellow ribbons went up when the Soldiers left for deployment. Restaurants, nail salons, auto shops, clothing stores...everyone had a special discount for the military. The news was rife with stories about how our nearby town was worried about business with all the Soldiers gone. The military was very important to them then.

Now that they're back, when you ask, it's like a military discount is a foreign concept that no one's ever heard of. I've had folks be rude to me for asking (and hey, you gotta ask, it's the only way you'll find out if one is offered).

The community here does support the military, but the support rapidly decreases when the planes start bringing the guys home.

Having said that, your new base must rock. I can't imagine citizens passing out water and food to people stuck in line at the gate. That's above and beyond. I'm glad you guys are stationed somewhere where that type of thing is common. And I'm sure Dave feels more comfortable leaving knowing that you and the kids will be enveloped in support.

Keep us posted on the responses to your letter to the editor. I'd be interested to see what the town folk have to say in reply.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Here, with Ft Lee nearby (okay, it's right and the end of my parents back yard, and a couple miles away from my home), there's a distinct appreciation for the military. The locals are very appreciative of the soldiers and what they do. There aren't very many cases of business not showing the appreciation for the local soldiers. In fact, the local Golden Corral restaurant runs (twice a year) a special where veterans or current active duty (ID or uniform required) get a free meal. They usually run it around Memorial Day and again at Veterans Day. They'll run it again when/if a local soldier (one from the area, not one stationed here) dies in the line of duty.

I'd say a good 30% of the GENERAL commerce in the tri-cities area is due (directly or as a trickle down) to the base's presence. It varies from locality to locality, though. And my current employment falls under that ... Gotta love working for a government contractor.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top

We received military discounts on car purchases, not to mention various other things.

Nothing like that at Ellsworth.  Like I said, we got laughed at the one time we DID ask, so we walked off the lot.

IN otherwords, they cant afford to offer a military discount in Rapid city and stay in Business.

Rapid City has a fairly decent economy, because it's the only major town west of the Missouri River and East of Wyoming, so I don't know if that's necessarily true.  It's not even a question of discounts, really, it's more about the general attitude - one of 'fuck the airmen, they're a pain in the ass' until the base is threatened with closure then it's 'oh we LOVE you!' 

Hope it gets published, chikka.

Me too....and I'll go look for your mail in a bit.

 

military discount is a foreign concept that no one's ever heard of.

Exactly.  That's exactly how it is in SD.

 

In fact, the local Golden Corral restaurant runs (twice a year) a special where veterans or current active duty (ID or uniform required) get a free meal.

That happens here.  There's a food court right off base that offeres a free buffet lunch meal to military folks every couple of months.  Thye KNOW that at least 75% of their revenue comes from military personnel, and they make sure they take care of them.  They know what side their bread is buttered on.....

Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
Pretty sure there are no (or just very, very few) military discounts going on in the greater Fort Hood area. I'd be boggled if the local car dealerships offered them... I mean, beyond the "incredibly little money down" and "no payments until we gouge you" offers you can get for just showing your LES. "E-1 and up!" say the signs... don't buy a car in Killeen say the inprocessing NCOs.

I've seen the other side, people getting indignant when they are politely told there is no military discount. I think that doesn't happen as much. I've also seen rude reactions to the question in places with *no* military presence; how presumptuous of this soldier to ask for a discount!

The one place I spend most of my money, the local comic book store, cannot possibly afford to offer military discounts. Yes, it's because the vast majority of their income is from military folk. But they have great service, and instead offer discounts to long-time shoppers and people who bring other business in through word-of-mouth... probably a better model. I suppose the other option is to jack up prices across the board, and then offer a "discount" for whomever.

Rambled on a bit. Too early/late.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
Great Letter Dharma!!!

The Fayetteville, NC area(Better known as "Fayette nam") is an interesting place for people stationed at Fort Bragg and Pope AFB. It's like there are 3 Fayettevilles (including all the other towns in the area). There were the people who hated the military presence and went out of their way to show their true feelings; Those who loved the military presence and did just as much to show their appreciation; and those who couldn't care less either way.

It's not quite as bad as the days that military folks were charged MORE for goods and services, and it's been a long time since you saw lines like, "Enlisted Men and their Women... Officers and their Ladies" on signs... but for those who hate the military there, they make you feel about as welcome.

I used to laugh at the electronics shops where there wasn't a full price on anything... only a monthly payment and "bring in your LES for instant credit!" Nothing like paying $1000 for a $500 stereo.

But if we paid attention we could find a lot of places that made us feel welcome (not always with a discount, but with a friendly attitude), and they weren't that hard to find... Especially the Krispy Kreme when the "Hot Light" was on, or the "Flaming Mug" when a good metal band was playing (which was almost every night!)... but enough with the plugs from Memory Lane Advertizing! ;~D

Chaos Manager... You are right, the Hopewell area Rocked!!!
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
I'd be boggled if the local car dealerships offered them... I mean, beyond the "incredibly little money down" and "no payments until we gouge you" offers you can get for just showing your LES. "E-1 and up!" say the signs... don't buy a car in Killeen say the inprocessing NCOs.


There's nothing like that in Rapid City. Nothing at all. No mention of the military anywhere. They just don't seem to care...and the ones that do care are the ones who think that AF shoulf fuck off and die. Until the base got threatened with closure, that is.

There were the people who hated the military presence and went out of their way to show their true feelings; Those who loved the military presence and did just as much to show their appreciation; and those who couldn't care less either way.


(I spent some time In fayette-nam, btw....the thing I remember most was how it seemed to be a big one-way system)

Rapid City just has two: the apathetic who didn't care and the antagonists who hate the military.
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top

Rapid City just has two: the apathetic who didn't care and the antagonists who hate the military.

Kind of kills all the stereotypes too.  It is a very Red State (except for the senators), and most Midwesterners I find outside of big cities are pretty nice.

I have no other theory to propose.  The impact of Ellsworth is one thing.  But the open antagonism would not be explained by that.