William Rourke Sisson - Eagle Scout

This weekend I take my parents to La Junta, Colorado, for the 75th anniversary of the Koshare Indians - a boy scout troop. My father was a charter member. It will be a bittersweet weekend. So much excitement about seeing lifelong friends. Yet politics are affecting my father's heritage. The family ranch homesteaded in 1870 by Eugene Rourke was threatened by wildfires this summer (Piñon Canyon area). Much of the old ranch went to the military through eminent domain around 1980. Now the Army wants more.

Last year my 88 year old father wrote to several senators and congressmen expressing his concern about the future of southeastern Colorado. His letter was published in the Colorado Springs Gazette. I think it's worth repeating:

In 1870 my grandfather homesteaded in Southeastern Colorado in the Picketwire Canyonlands. As a child I spent many hours riding horseback and exploring the area, from the dinosaur tracks to petroglyphs to remains from Indian fortresses. I was excited when this land was made a national historic site and the area was open for archeologists, paleontologists, historians, and curious citizens to explore.

As a family physician I served in the community of La Junta, Colorado, for twenty-five years, and I am aware of the challenges these citizens face to survive economically. I am also aware how hard ranchers and farmers work to provide food for our country.

During World War II, I served in the Navy and from 1975-1992 I served in the Air Force and then as a civil service physician attached to Air Force bases in Germany, Arkansas, and Texas. I am well aware of the sacrifices military families make for our nation.

I do not believe that the proposed Canyon Expansion is worth the economic or ecological destruction to Southeastern Colorado. As a member of this democracy, I do not believe that we should cause such economic or emotional duress to our fellow citizens.

I am concerned how we will be perceived by the world when we allow our military to destroy our own land, our own citizens homes, our own history, our own prehistoric sites.

Please be fair to our citizens and please preserve this rich area so not only my great-grandchildren but all Americans can enjoy and explore these sites.