PORT TOWNSEND — Protesters carrying signs with anti-war messages met military supporters with “Welcome Navy” signs in front of the Fort Worden State Park Commons building on Monday.
It was a scene that resulted in some quiet, non-violent discussions on war and peace just before Navy Capt. Jonathan Kurtz, commander of Naval Magazine Indian Island, addressed more than 150 people attending Monday’s weekly Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
The more than 50 war protesters included representatives of the Port Townsend Peace Movement, Women in Black and Buddhists.
They were met by nearly as many military supporters — from Jefferson County Republicans to veterans and former submariners — who showed up to hear Kurtz speak about plans to service nuclear submarines at Indian Island, across the bay from Port Townsend.
“We’re here to support our good friends at the Naval Magazine,” said Jim Hagen, Jefferson County Republican Party central committee vice chairman.
Standing next to Hagen near the entrance to the Commons was Annette Huenke, co-owner of the Ancestral Spirits native art gallery in Port Townsend.
She was dressed in a long black coat, the trademark of the Port Townsend’s anti-war Women in Black.
She stood next to a sign: “Lead by example, America, stop the killing.”
Supporting ‘my guys’
Across the walkway was retired Navy master chief electrician Larry Carter of Port Ludlow, who proudly talked about how he had worked for 20 years on nuclear submarines.
“I’m here to support my guys in the Department of Defense — and the Navy in particular,” said Carter, sporting a Seahawks jersey and waving a large American flag.
“I know those guys and I love ’em.”
Carter was joined by Vincent Bell, manager of the Port Townsend American Legion Hall, who held up a black Prisoner of Wars-Missing in Action flag.
“As long as we stay fragmented, we will never get anything done,” lamented Bell, adding that he saw the concerns about the new presence of nuclear submarines at Indian Island as a “fear tactic.”
“They say that submarines will make us a bigger target, but the target is already over there [at the Bangor nuclear submarine base on Hood Canal],” Bell said.
Among the crowd outside The Commons was Darlene Durfee, Port Townsend Peace Movement president, who said her group was actually “joining forces” with military supporters to strike up a positive conversation.
“We are so divided,” said Durfee.
“It’s just too bad. We need to start communicating and talking. I think we all want peace.”
