It was nice to see that someone else believes those representing the Great Falls area in regard to the military were more or less surrendering to the decision to move the F-15 fighter mission from Montana to California.  I had previously written about Montana’s military in the column called, “We Need a Hero.”  You can read it HERE.

Montana State Senator Ed Buttrey lays it all out in an over 1100 word Guest Opinion that appeared in today’s Great Falls Tribune (not on-line as of my deadline) and recently in the Fairfield Sun Times (available online HERE).

Buttrey begins his Guest Opinion with:

It was with continual dismay that I see our local and state leadership succumb to political pressure and throw support towards a decision that ultimately will waste incredible amounts of taxpayer’s money.  I am, of course, referring to the political decision to move our F-15 fighter mission from Montana to California.  While Cascade County Commissioners, the Citizen’s for Montana’s Military (CMM), and the Legislature alone have both fought tirelessly to keep this valuable mission and the associated jobs and technology, as we read in the paper daily, nearly everyone else has decided to throw in the towel.

He closes his Guest Opinion with:

It’s not too late, who will have the strength and resolve to stand with me.  We know that many of our leaders have succumbed, we can do better.

Being a member of a military committee or a spokesperson for the committee that is supposed to fight to protect and enhance Montana’s military missions is much more than taking a few junkets paid for by members to sightsee in our nation’s capitol.  It’s more than getting to sit at the head table at the military luncheons.  If you are an elected official, it’s more than a quick stop at the base for a photo and interview opportunity – it takes constant contact and the sharing of information.  And yes, sometimes it’s saying something like, “We’re as mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore” to those in charge.

Buttrey may have just said that in his guest opinion.  At least he’s making the case for being the fighter Montana needs to retain and enhance our military missions.  He has the experience and background to be that person, too.

The Montana Congressional delegation should follow Buttrey’s lead.  Two of them should remember there is an important election coming up in 2012.  The candidates for the federal offices (U.S. Senate/U.S. House) will need to distinguish themselves as the candidate Cascade County can count on to enhance and retain the military missions there.

In the meantime, maybe Montana’s military supporters have found that hero…