To the Editor: What a thrill it was to see those historic planes on Grosse Ile this past weekend and to talk to the many veterans who had been stationed here at Naval Air Station Grosse Ile.

Thanks to all who worked so hard to make it happen.

Clare Koester

Lowrie

To the Editor: I write to you as a voice among many who share a great concern for the bridge being proposed on the northwest corner of Lake Erie between Grosse Ile and Sugar Island.

Such a bridge would have a significant negative impact upon this entire area and all need to be aware of the almost unanimous feeling against this bridge that exists among residents of Grosse Ile and those non-residents who enjoy our beautiful island.

Aside from the almost catastrophic degradation to the natural beauty of this area, there are many unknowns as to how the bridge would affect the flow of the river in this delicate watershed.

Impact on wildlife would be immeasurable, as the surrounding waters are home to thousands of migrating waterfowl, shore-feeding mammals and marine life.

Fish populations would surely suffer to some degree, as sediment and bottom contaminants dredged up during construction would likely find their way into the food chain.

A higher potential for ice damage upstream of such a bridge is also a real possibility and remains a major issue to be addressed.

All these concerns are serious, but the one most sensitive to many is the affect a bridge will have on boating traffic in this area.

A fixed bridge in this location effectively seals off passage to the waters south of Grosse Ile for southbound sailboats or other tall vessels.

The only route to these waters would be the commercial shipping channel that is often a hazardous place when facing a large lake freighter in such tight quarters.

The Grosse Ile Yacht Club is designated as a harbor of refuge for transient boaters and a low-profile fixed bridge would require any tall boat from the north seeking refuge to travel miles out onto Lake Erie before it could find its way into that harbor.

Under storm conditions, that could be life threatening.

And finally, it is appalling to many people in this region that any one would even consider building such a bridge over a portion of the Detroit River that has served as a primary navigation route for countless generations.

I appeal to what is right and decent and ask that any permit to build this bridge over one of the most pristine areas of the Detroit River System be refused.

I am sure there are many other reasons for not building this bridge that I have not touched on.

If they haven't already done so, every Grosse Ile resident should write to the Coast Guard immediately and protest this horrendous proposal before it is too late.

To voice your opinion write:

Officer of the Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District, 1240 East Ninth Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44199.

Mono V. D’Angelo

Stout