Fountains and War Memorials

Last weekend was the first opportunity I had to walk around the newly opened Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Memorial Plaza honoring the 100 year history of the Shipyard. Located near the ferry terminal, and immediately beside a main gate into Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, it serves as a "buffer zone" between the shipyard and city. Bremerton IS the shipyard, with a history of significant growth during World War II. A vibrant, exciting time, hosting a thriving population of workers and sailors. The new park displays a variety of historical photographs of workers and the mood is definitely a rah-rah-rah for USA.

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to believe in the Norman Rockwell images of family of this period, part of a war effort and with a united front to enemies threatening this "way of life." Instead I imagine the heat and loud noise, war victims, asbestosis/mesothelioma....

While noting the fountains, rock sculptures and benches, I scan the fences - at least 10 feet tall with sharp points, and another fence with coiled barbed wire creating a second barrier limiting entrance into the center of the shipyard. Workers pass through double security gates (or perhaps more, depending upon where they work). I picture locations for leafletting and vigiling, wondering what the traffic will be once construction projects reach completion.

A recent report reflects a major concern for this community:
May 28, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – (Washington) Puget Sound Naval Shipyard takes action to reduce copper discharges and comply with Clean Water Act. Under an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) is required to take action to reduce the amount of copper in its wastewater and comply with its Federal Clean Water Act permit requirements. According to the Navy’s own discharge reports, from May 2003 to July 2008, PSNS frequently violated its federal wastewater permit by discharging copper in excess of allowable levels. The shipyard’s wastewater is discharged into Sinclair Inlet. PSNS is the largest naval shipyard on the west coast. The copper in its wastewater comes from sandblasting and painting of vessels in dry dock at the shipyard. The shipyard is allowed to discharge its wastewater into Sinclair Inlet, but only if it complies with its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by EPA.

The report continues with the statement that PSNS reports it is now in compliance with the EPA (and that's a good thing?), so dumping into the Inlet is OK now. God Bless America.

Fireweed

Erechtites hieracifolia: Fireweed has been described as a coarse, homely American weed. An annual, this plant derives its name from its habit of growing freely in moist open woods and clearings, and in abundance on newly-burnt grounds. It blooms in the Pacific Northwest from July to September.

Although Fireweed may be an aggressive plant it has an amazing story. Fireweed is one of the first plants to spring up after fire and its production may vary with severity of fire. Severe fires remove organic soil layers, exposing mineral soil which is an excellent seedbed for fireweed. Therefore, cover and density are greatest on severely burned areas because of good seedling establishment.

I first fell in love with this plant several years ago noticing its growth along the roadside in Suquamish, as I entered a wooded area known by local Native Americans and shelter for a few old growth cedars. After fasting and a sweat, Rita led me to this secret spot where I spent several hours in silence, meditating and searching for that part of me that seemed to be dying.

And so, Fireweed was part of my journey then and the image remains with me today as a part of my soul, my life, my love. It's fitting that I renew my journey with this flower, my friend, Fireweed.