Nuclear war is upon us.
"We interrupt this program to bring you an important announcement. Word has just been received from the North American Air Defense Command that a large number of unidentified planes are converging upon the United States. An all-out alert has been declared." So said the 'President of the United States' at the beginning of a Civil Defense Drill in Marlton on January 18, 1964.
As fears of a full-scale nuclear war raged, a Civil Defense
drill was conducted at the former Nike Base, located on Tomlinson Mill Road in
Marlton. Occurring
several years after the Cuban Missile Crisis, the test was conducted to observe
psychological reactions to fears of war and living in a bunker. It was the biggest civil defense drill ever
conducted in the United States and would be observed by national, state and
local officials. Results of the test
would be sent to the Department of Defense in Washington.
More than 200 volunteers, age 3 to 75, entered the 65 foot
by 55 foot underground bunker to spend the next 30 hours setting up a
government and going about their daily lives.
Many of the volunteers were from Marlton, including more than a dozen 12
year old members of Girl Scout Troop 145. Officials made certain to be sure
their volunteers were not thrill-seekers or ‘teenagers on a lark’, but those
who earnestly wished to learn about survival.
Volunteers were served 3 meals of a cupful of water and vitamin
fortified crackers as part of “Operation Togetherness”. They were put through a series of exercises
in group survival and were tasked with setting up a government. Church services were held inside the bunker
on Sunday morning, with a Catholic Mass at 8AM, followed by a
non-denominational service.
At the site, 50 picketers were on hand protesting the
drill. Four local peace groups, The
Committee for Sane Nuclear Policy, The Friends Peace Committee, The Women's
International League for Peace, and the Women's Strike for Peace and Freedom
were on hand protesting the waste of time and money involved in the test. “Peace is our only shelter” said some of their
signs.
During the test, 3 peace marchers broke into the
shelter. Once inside, the picketers were
forced to remain for the duration of the test.
Two families needed to leave early when their children experienced high
fevers and nausea.
The rest of the volunteers emerged tired and complaining of
the diet.
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