Protest planned on anthrax vaccine
by Susan Vela
The Cincinnati Enquirer
May 05, 2000
Relatives of former Air Force Maj. Sonnie Bates, who said goodbye to a 14-year military career because he refused to take an anthrax vaccine, are organizing a rally in his name for May 20.
Mr. Bates, 35, of Independence, said in an interview that he has been looking for work since late March, when he received a general discharge with honorable conditions rather than be vaccinated. The father of three said he is thankful for the community support and hopes politicians will pay attention to the cause behind the rally.
"This country was founded on protest," said Mr. Bates, now living in Delaware.
""I would like for the U.S. Congress and Senate to make this issue their No. 1 priority. I want them to search for the truth. And when they find it, hold those responsible for this travesty accountable."
He doesn't know, though, whether he'll be able to attend the May 20, rally, which will begin at 1 p.m. outside the Air Force Recruiting Station, 8001 Connector Road in Florence. He has an interview that weekend for a corporate pilot position.
Defense Secretary William Cohen has ordered all 2.4 million active-duty and reserve troops to get anthrax shots. About 340,000 service members have been immunized, and 300 have refused because of safety concerns, Pentagon officials say.
Mr. Bates' mother, Bonnie VanArsdale of Independence, his mother-in-law, Linda Justice of Union, and other relatives gathered more than 500 signatures on petitions urging the end of the anthrax vaccine program.
The rally "is not only for Sonnie but for all Americans," Mrs. Justice said.
She is hoping to have Persian Gulf War veterans and former Air Force Col. Redmond Handy as speakers. Col. Handy retired from his Pentagon job because of the anthrax program and founded a group opposing it.
The military could be suspending the anthrax vaccinations anyway — the General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of Congress, has said the Pentagon may run out by July.