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Why it's important to keep local stables open...
Horsepeople know that their horses and barn buddies can carry them through the worst of life's trials. Who could need this kind of support more than military families?
In 2002, the Marine Corps proposed to close the almost century-old stable on base at MCAS Miramar, and in its place put an RV storage lot and campground - right next to a freeway, and under the approach path. The stable wasn't bringing in enough money, apparently.
The local community spoke up strongly against this plan, joined by hundreds of people who had spent much their "military brat" childhoods at the stables. Ultimately, the stables were saved!
Here is my letter, detailing many reasons local stables are so important to their communities.
22 August, 2002
Brigadier General Jon A. Gallinetti, USMC
Commander, Marine Corps Air Bases, Western Area
P.O. Box 452013
San Diego, Ca 92145-2013
Dear Brigadier General Gallinetti:
Please reconsider your decision to close the horse stables at MCAS Miramar and put an RV park and storage facility in their place.
All my life I have seen the stables from the road, and have admired the military for making those stables available to the people who protect our country. What a great benefit to provide to those who serve! What a shame to lose such a resource simply because it does not bring in enough money.
If you have never owned or worked with horses it might be difficult to understand the place they have in the lives and hearts of the people who love them. They are solace in times of heartache, company in times of loneliness - a source of joy and determination. Working with one's own horse, or taking lessons, provides healthful physical outdoor activity, respite from daily stresses, and a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. One's "barn family" is a constant source of support and friendship beyond price. An RV park and storage facility could never replace horses, or the close community of people at the stables.
There are people at the Miramar stables who have been there for each other literally for decades. When their spouses are away on duty for months at a time, people at the stables rely on each other for help and strength. If the stables were closed, even if everyone were able to find a way to keep their horse elsewhere (which would surely not be the case), that important support network would be lost.
These are folks who believe in and teach the values of hard-work, integrity, kindness, and clean living. It is into this community that children of military families are welcomed when they come for lessons, to watch shows, or attend other events at the stables. Often the lure of learning to ride, or the hope of someday being able to have a horse of one's own is inspiration enough to keep kids on the right path - studying, staying out of trouble, and learning to care for others.
Isn't a long-standing community devoted to sport, learning, and caring for animals more precious than a place to park expensive private vehicles? Aren't Marines and their families more important than profits?
The desire for an RV park under the active flight path of a military air base, and immediately adjacent to a major freeway, is beyond my understanding. Within a 30 minute drive of Miramar there are many existing, and more attractive, campgrounds - easy to reach, reasonably priced, and offering a higher quality recreational experience. Mission Trails Regional Park - with a river, and scenic hikes, Lake Jennings - several State Beaches - with camping right on the beach, just to name a few. Extend the drive to one hour and you find dozens and dozens of County, State, and National Forest campgrounds in the nearby mountains and deserts. And don't forget the existing military campgrounds at Camp Pendleton (Lake O'Neill and San Onofre Beach), Admiral Baker Field, Del Mar, and Fiddlers Cove. With all the beautiful and convenient places to camp in our area, why would anyone want to spend the weekend between an airfield and a freeway?
RVers, even the most avid, only make the drive to a campground once, and back - maybe once on a weekend, but more likely only once a month or less. Horse owners usually ride or work with their horses several times a week, sometimes every day, making even a one hour round-trip commute (unlikely, given local traffic) a real hardship. Yes, lessons are offered at stables in Bonita, Rancho San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, and Lakeside - but how would children of military families get to those lessons? How could they hang out at the barn with their (non-military) friends? How could they learn the value of hard work caring for the horses after school? How could they even know about horses?
The stables at Miramar offer wholesome activity, an increasingly rare rural life ethic, and a supportive "family" to those who serve in our military, their spouses, and their children. They deserve that, after all they do for us! Please reconsider. Please do not scatter them to the winds. A trailer park and storage lot could never replace the community of friends that has thrived at these stables for decades.
Thank you for your kind attention,
Linda Eskin
Lifelong San Diego Resident and horseperson
cc:
Supervisor Dianne Jacob
County Administration Center
1600 Pacific Highway
San Diego, CA 92101
Representative Duncan Hunter
366 South Pierce Street
El Cajon, CA 92020
Senator Barbara Boxer
112 Hart Senate Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein
331 Hart Senate Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
General James L. Jones,
Commandant of the Marine Corps
Headquarters Marine Corps
2 Navy Annex
Washington, DC 20380-1775