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The taste of concrete

From a January 7 complaint filed by Vietnam Veterans of America and six veterans against the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of Defense, the Army, various government officials, and the United States of America. The veterans were among approximately 6,720 soldiers who between 1950 and 1975 were exposed to at least 254 biological and chemical warfare agents in tests at the Army’s Edgewood Arsenal laboratories, in Maryland.

Bruce was taken into a room where four doctors were present. Two of the doctors were dressed in civilian garb, and two were military doctors, including a colonel. The colonel, who seemed to be in charge, described the program and said, “We know you have heard rumors we use drugs here. Well, I am here to tell you, that is true. We cannot tell you what they are. We do not know if the drugs will have any harmful effects on you. But we have the finest medical facilities. Now, we can’t force you to take these drugs, but if you do not you will be sent back to your home unit with a bad recommendation, and it will be put in your file and follow you for the rest of your life.”

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SEE ALSO: Biological warfare; Chemical warfare; Human experimentation in medicine; Veterans

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