The survey, the letter claimed, had identified my driveway as within the visual buffer zone of Sentinel Ridge Estates community common areas. There was no such survey on file with the Laram County Recorder. I checked the same Tuesday afternoon. In January of 2025, Brian E. Pendergast filed her third communication.
This one was not addressed to me. It was addressed to the FE Warren Air Force Base public affairs office in care of Major Caleb Yanick, the wing public affairs officer. The communication requested that the base commander address the ongoing inappropriate vehicle storage situation at the property located at the eastern boundary of Sentinel Ridge Estates community. Major Yanick brought me the letter at 0745 on a Tuesday morning. He had read the letter.
He had not yet identified the property in question. I told him to identify the property. He returned to my office at 0910 that morning with a tax assessor map. He said, "Sir, the property in question is your home address." I told him I knew.
He sat in the chair beside my desk for a long second. He looked at the tax assessor map. He looked at me. He looked at the framed photograph of my father in his 1996 retirement uniform on the credenza behind my desk. He said, "Sir, permission to speak freely."
I told him, "Granted." He said, "Sir, the HOA president's husband, Lieutenant Colonel Pendergast, is a member of your operational staff. The HOA president has now formally communicated with this wing's public affairs office, requesting your involvement in a civilian property matter that affects your own residence. The appearance of impropriy is significant." I want to put a hold on this letter in the public affairs queue until general counsel can advise.
I told him to coordinate with Lieutenant Colonel Llo Shrader. The wing staff judge advocate. Before any further action, he saluted. He left. I called Marray at the federal courthouse at 10:04. I asked her if she had time for lunch.
She drove out to the base at 12:15. I met her at the visitor center gate. We ate Subway sandwiches in her chambers Lincoln Navigator parked in the FE Warren visitor lot. I told her about Brian Pendergast's three communications. Mire listened.
She sat down her sandwich. She said, "Whitley, the HOA president is your subordinate's wife. She has been writing to your base public affairs office. Her husband's career is going to end whether or not you ever respond to a letter. Have a fo.
I tell you what they have." I told her, "A fo." I was already running an examination. She said, "Then let it run. Do not engage Mrs. Pendergast.