LAKELAND — David Sanes, a civilian security guard and resident of Vieques, Puerto Rico, was killed April 19 when two 500-lb. bombs from a United States Navy attack jet missed their target, according to United Methodist News Service.

The incident sparked national and international debate over the Navy’s use of two-thirds of the island as a training site.

A delegation from the United Methodist Council of Bishops traveled to Vieques last June at the invitation of Bishop Juan Vera Mendez of the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico. J. Lloyd Knox, acting bishop of the Florida Conference, was part of that delegation.

"We went to show support for the people of Vieques," Knox said. "After listening for a whole day to the people of the community and visiting the [Navy’s] bombing range, I feel like this is an environmental and human rights violation."

Knox said other issues surrounding the Navy’s use of the island include the cancer rate among Vieques residents, which is 27 percent higher than the average among all Puerto Ricans, the use of shells that once contained uranium and the Navy renting use of the island to other nations for their target practice.

At its meeting in May, the United Methodist Council of Bishops passed a resolution calling for the Navy to "cease its military activities, repair whatever damages it has caused and transfer all the land that is currently occupied to the Puerto Rico government."

Knox said Bishop Felton May, presiding bishop of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, is trying to get an appointment with President Bill Clinton’s commission on Vieques prior to its Oct. 15 deadline for reporting its recommendations.

"It’s our hope to inform the commission of our findings," Knox said.

United Methodists are urged to write their congressional representatives and the president and ask them to respect the rights of Vieques’ residents.

Among the groups responding to the disaster is the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). UMCOR has sent an initial emergency response grant through Action by Churches Together (ACT), the relief and development arm of the World Council of Churches, and is carefully monitoring the situation to determine the best way to assist the Turkish people.

Individuals wishing to contribute to UMCOR’s International Disaster Response, Advance #982450-8, may give through their local church or directly to UMCOR at 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115. Credit card donations may be made by calling 1-800-554-8583. Please designate "Turkey Earthquake" on the memo line of your check.