INDIAN GASSED

We learned chemical and biological warfare. Besides learning all the rules, we had to learn how to don our gas masks and how to recognize the gas. This meant actual situations. We had to be exposed to the gas. We visited the local gas chamber. I was reminded of the Jews again. At least I got a mask and it was only chlorine gas. It can kill, but you know it's coming and the doors aren't locked.

About eight of us at a time were herded into a small room. Somebody wearing a gas mask opened a canister. We were told to count to ten, put on our masks and wait for five minutes before going outside. If we did it right, we were allowed to leave. If we did it wrong, we had to do it all over again. Believe me this is something you don't want to do twice. This stuff stings through your clothes. Your eyes and nose burn. You gasp for clean air and if your mask isn't on right you just get more gas. My eyes were streaming and my nose was running. Everywhere I got wet, I burned more. I couldn't see straight. I got my mask on, but I only counted to five, a very fast five. The door was no longer there. I tried to make one in the wall but it wouldn't budge. When I did get outside, I ran in the wind, stopping only to cough, choke and sputter.