Editor’s Note: The following letter to the editor was written by Ground Zero member Tom Rogers. Tom is a retired Navy Captain, and a former nuclear submarine commander. His letter was published on May 8th in the Kitsap Sun. Tom is planning the upcoming Mothers Day event at Ground Zero Center on Saturday, May 12th.
Can a patriot still protest nukes? 
This Saturday activists from Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action will be celebrating Mother’s Day with a vigil and nonviolent direct action calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons. They will symbolically close the Bangor Trident Base by blocking the road outside the Main Gate. Ground Zero has celebrated Mother’s Day for Peace in this way annually for over 30 years.
The Kitsap Patriots Tea Party has scheduled a “Flag wave against Ground Zero” the same day to demonstrate their patriotism and love for our troops. It is certainly within their First Amendment right to do so.
But, the Tea Party members aren’t the only patriots in Kitsap County. I dedicated 32 years of my life to my country as a naval officer and commanded an attack submarine during the Cold War. I am a patriot. I have come to understand in my years with Ground Zero that the members who suit up and show up for vigils and actions do so out of a deep love for humanity. What my fellow activists and I have in common is a conviction that nuclear weapons are evil and should be abolished. As citizens we have an obligation to speak out when we believe our government is wrong. This is where we live and this is where the warheads are. It’s not inconsistent to respect our armed forces and hate nuclear weapons.
Tom Rogers, Keyport
Tom, with fellow resisters (l to r) Anne Hall, Brenda McMillan and Betsy Lamb, after being cited by the State Patrol for their nonviolent direct action at the Bangor Trident base.
