Anniston Star
August 18, 2003

Speak Out ... On the weapons stockpile

By our readers
08-18-2003

To the crewmembers, supervisors and staff at the toxic munitions storage area of the Anniston Army Depot:

Since the mid-’50s you and your predecessors have cared for the toxic munitions stored at AAD. You inventoried, inspected and secured the many rockets, mines, artillery rounds and ton containers of toxic chemical agent. I shared those duties with you for almost 10 years. We practiced for the worst, appreciated the best and trained at all times. We never became lax or careless, but sure became familiar with those very dangerous items that nobody wanted and everybody feared and respected.

Finally, something is being done to alleviate this potentially catastrophic problem.

You are now alerted to remove the munitions from storage, transport them to the incinerator and stand by for the same mission when directed. While performing this assignment many times, you will be ready to resolve any accident or incident that could, but probably never will, occur. Your supervisors, security, administrative staff, employees at the incinerator and you will have one aim, one goal — to “destroy those weapons.”

We “outside the gate,” wish you success. May God bless and guide you. May He keep you safe. Thank you!

Jim Ellis
Jacksonville


Burn it

All this talk for or against the burning of the stuff at the depot. They had better keep burning it and do it in a hurry before some crackpot steals an airplane and crashes it into the igloos. Then what?

I’m a Korean War vet.

My voice says burn it, burn it, burn it. Then we can stop worrying.

J. Brock
Piedmont