Many years ago (69/70) We planted a tree outside Ft. Detrick (a military laboratory that creates chemical/biological weapons) dubbed the “Tree of Life”, alongside others we held hands and sang “Just like a tree that’s planted by the Arsenal, we shall not be moved”. We repeated this at Edgewood Arsenal and participated in a week long march for the CBW Project (Campaign against Chemical and Biological Warfare). Archived by the Quaker Peace Movement in “Box 27″.
We worked with the soldiers from Ft. Detrick, Maryland over the period of 2 years for “The Pawn” an underground newspaper dedicated to revealing the truth about what was going on at Ft. Detrick and in Vietnam. These young soldiers told us stories about how those who were afraid of going to Vietnam were being coaxed into becoming test subjects for biological warfare to avoid being deployed into battle. One soldier interviewed was given an injection of “Rocky Mountain spotted Fever”. Over 2,300 “volunteer” servicemen from 1954 to 1973 were infected by a host of exotic diseases such as Q fever, yellow fever, anthrax, tularemia, black plague and rabbit fever.
Purposes And Goals Of The Paper.
1. Help unify and advance the GI Rights Movement, (specifically free speech, press, and assembly.)
2. Speak out for GIs––a news media.
3. Expose abuse and harassment of GIs.
4. Cover movement news.
5. Fight apathy toward GI rights and toward the illegal war in Vietnam.
6. Counsel GIs with grievances or in trouble.
It was an enlightening time for a 13 year old who was privileged to listen to lectures given by professors, doctors and scientists about the harms of Napalm and other chemical and biological weapons being created and used in Vietnam. We marched from town to town, sometimes getting nods of approval but many times getting rotten foods thrown at us and spit on.
When I reflect back on that time, I realize that we were portrayed as people who were subversive or Anti-government. That was totally incorrect! We were PRO-troops and PRO-everyone’s health. No group of people respected or loved our troops more than us because we knew how they were being manipulated and we had their best interest at heart. We loved America and loved our soldiers… we were doing exactly what our fore fathers intended us to do – speak out when our government is lying and doing something against it’s own people. That is what makes this country and our constitution so great!
Oh yeah, and to the “lifer” from Ft. Detrick that tried to run me over with his station wagon (with his wife and kids in the car) when I handed him a CBW leaflet ———> 
How did you manage to turn that station wagon around in an alley and come at me a 2nd time? I wonder what your kids were thinking as you floored your gas pedal while screaming obscenities at me as I dodged behind light poles and into doorways to avoid you!
You were instrumental in my becoming an activist in the movement, I had no idea how violent people could become towards someone of an opposing view. It was at that moment I realized that some leaders of our military were capable of killing innocent civilians. I do hope that you and your family are well today and I forgive you with all my heart 
“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”
- George Orwell -
