Extra 230 RCU,

Thanks for what you've done, for what you do, and for what you willingly give up for those that don't, can't, or won't. Me and mine are truly grateful.

As a civilian that's done four tours where you're at now, and one in the higher country to the east, I can honestly state that the general public has almost no idea of what's been done or why, or how close the game is in coming to an end. Favorably for us I might add. I've met with and befriended the people of both countries and know that they want what we are trying so hard to provide them. In many ways the desires of our two cultures are the same. Their religeous principles are much different than ours, but that is their right, and their beliefs. The public seems to be under the impression that the new governments are to be set up like ours. That's not possible, but versions of democratic freedom are still freedom that the effected populations have never had before. It takes more time than most are willing to give it. I'm afraid that memories are much too short for them to recall how long it has taken before.

Back to terror and models. It can happen all too easily. There are many that participate in R/C modeling that also are employed in unmanned activities that already know that the ability to convert a model to something much more sinister is much, much too easy. The location of use can provide the smallest detonation with maximum visibility, effecting our hobby for generations to come. Kill or injure just one person at a nationally publicized activity or location and the job is done. As much of a joke as so many have tried to make of it, this ability is of such a serious concern with many in government that our activities are looked upon quite frequently, with working groups already in place discussing new rules, regulations, and licensing requirements for the fun loving participants. It's up to us as modelers to determine how we want to be treated and viewed. It's up to us as modelers to use good sense and judgement in what we do with our models and the manner in which we operate them. The wrong move at the wrong time and place will have extremely serious repurcussions for many years to come. Unfortunately many that post in these forums about the desire to use projectiles, working guns of any type, or detonate aerial explosives are also those that will end this hobby for all of us by being self centered and stupid, without intending an act of terror. We can be our own worst enemies at times.