tw8023@pyuxii.UUCP (T Wheeler) (11/01/85)
Someone, I don't know who, mentioned that the Island of Vieques off Puerto Rico was taken over in 1968 as a bombing range for the Navy. Just to set the record straight, that island has been a gunnery range since 1912. The folks who live there now are decendants of local fishermen who established a fishing camp on the island to be used between naval exercises. As time went on, the fishermen established more permanent homes and brought their families. The Navy let them stay as they were not near the impact area of the range. In 1968, the Navy tried to oust the villagers as the Navy was going to begin using the island for bombing practice by the fleet air wing. The island IS owned by the Navy. The folks on the island claimed squatters rights to keep from being moved. The problem has been in and out of courts for years. I happened to be in the area when this squabble broke out and have flown over the island several times. Do not believe everything put out by the Independence groups in PR. T. C. Wheeler