The tiresome personal attacks on the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial and Clarence Moriwaki by James M. Olsen are such old news (“Doesn’t support Moriwaki as Bauer’s successor,” Jan. 28 Herald).

Over the years, I’ve gotten to know both men and Clarence Moriwaki’s solid reputation of integrity, trustworthiness, civility and outstanding volunteer community service is something to which Mr. Olsen — or most of us, for that matter — may only hope to aspire.

Mr. Olsen’s spin attempt to disparage and defame Mr. Moriwaki’s successful volunteer efforts of building unanimous, bipartisan local, regional, state and national support for the memorial project says more about Mr. Olsen’s character than Mr. Moriwaki. Indeed, it only highlights Mr. Moriwaki’s leadership in consensus building, which is exactly what we all need more of in Kitsap County.

When Mr. Olsen applied to join the American Legion, he was rejected by the membership and deemed personal non grata. On the other hand, Mr. Moriwaki is welcome to visit the American Legion Hall anytime.

Ron Coglon, commander
American Legion Post 172
Bainbridge Island