Editor,

As a retired Navy officer, I take special interest when other veterans seek to serve the public by running for elected office. It has come to my attention that Mr. Tim Hazelo, a Navy veteran, is a candidate for Island County commissioner (District 3).

It is reported to me that Mr. Hazelo retired from the Navy as a petty officer first class (E6) and that, after retirement from the Navy, he worked in Afghanistan as a highly paid civilian contractor. However, several reliable sources have reported to me that Mr. Hazelo is misrepresenting his military service by intimating, indicating or implying that he served in positions, ranks, capacities and actions in which he may not have served.

To end any confusion, I would like Mr. Hazelo to answer publicly the following questions in clear, direct and completely honest language:

(1) Are you, in fact, a veteran of combat while serving in our Navy and do you have the ribbons, medals, citations and documentation to support this?

(2) Did you directly participate in combat while serving as a highly paid civilian contractor in Afghanistan and do you have documentation to support this?

(3) Did you ever train for, qualify as and serve as pilot of any military aircraft and do you have documentation of this?

(4) When requested by any citizen or professional investigator, will you please produce your DD-214 and all other documentation of your military service and documentation of your later employment as a contractor in Afghanistan?

The character, honesty, forthrightness, and patriotism of candidates for public office are as important as their qualifications and experience. Mr. Hazelo, please clear up any confusion regarding your military service and employment as a contractor in Afghanistan by answering publicly the questions above and by making your DD-214 and all other documentation of your service in the Navy and employment as a contractor in Afghanistan readily available upon request. Further, in your oral, written and photographic campaign communication and imagery, please be very clear and accurate regarding the positions, ranks, capacities, actions and achievements documented as a part of your personal Navy service and of your work as a civilian contractor.

Thank you very sincerely for your service to our nation, Mr. Hazelo. However, let us all, myself included, honor all who have served our nation by being very clear, forthright and honest regarding our own military service and/or employment as civilian contractors so as to avoid any implication of stolen valor.

Bill McAfee

Commander, U.S. Navy (retired)

Clinton