The period after the Second World War marked a significant crossroad in American history with mankind achieving the power of self-destruction through the atomic bomb. It led to new technologies particularly among the superpowers, and a resultant "arms race" of both nuclear and conventional weapons. Political and economic revolutions became more commonplace, fanned by the break-up of colonial empires and the challenge of international communism. Soon "brushfire wars" sparked up, or "police actions" such as in Korea. Some are even referred to as "conflicts" such as Vietnam. But government officials were always careful to keep these actions as low-key as possible because to enter into fullscale war was considered suicidal with possible global annihilation. With this alternative, the Earth's inhabitants collectively held their breaths while politicians manipulated their destinies. Little progress in arms control has been made since the war, but at least in recent years, there appears to be slight movement toward mutual understanding.
In 1949, when the Soviet Union detonated its first nuclear weapon, a hurried effort was underway to gain some measure of safety for the average American citizen in case of a nuclear attack. Pamphlets were distributed by the Department of Civil Defense on what individuals should do in case of a nuclear attack. But it soon became obvious to the public that these plans would need government implementation if they were to ever be ready at all. Civil Defense began to survey communities for any buildings that might serve as bomb shelters, hospitals, or storage facilities in a nuclear emergency. They were searching for spacious areas preferably in basements or underground areas, or in the absence of below-ground facilities, interior areas with no windows or outside walls. In Beaver County, mostly schools and other public buildings were used. Other underground areas such as the underground mines in Wampum were recognized immediately as "safe," but they were eventually set aside for the storage of valuable documents. Stored in these shelters were all sorts of preserved foods, medical provisions, and fresh water as well as tools and intructional manuals on how to survive. Each building that was designated as appropriate displayed a prominent Civil Defense symbol near the entrance to the shelter, along with a number indicating the capacity of that particular shelter. Classes were also conducted in hospitals and colleges to train people in what to expect in case of nuclear attack. Training was given in first-aid and participants saw films of simulated nuclear attacks and how to treat the victims. Trainees knew how to identify those with radiation poisoning, flash-burns, or other serious injuries as a result of the bomb. Civil Defense also mandated schools and hospitals to conduct air raid drills. Instructions to students, patients, and personnel would warn them to get away from all windows because of danger from shattering glass. They would be instructed to take refuge near an inside wall. If one could not gain access to an inside wall, he or she was to get under a desk or piece of furniture and curl up into a ball, thus covering the head for protection."
By the early 1950's most homeowners were able to obtain plans for home bomb shelters, and builders were often encouraged to incorporate a bomb shelter into their new home's plans. Most home bomb shelters required six feet or more of cinder-block filled with sand or its equivalent for its outer walls. It needed, too, an adequate ventilation system as well as food, water, sewage disposal, power system, and then the required living area pro-rated at 25-50 square feet per person." It soon became obvious that the average Beaver County resident could not afford such a shelter. Add to this the unnerving "facts" brought about by some studies. First, the chances of surviving a blast from a thermo-nuclear device was highly-dependent on how close one was to the actual detonation. At that time in Beaver County, key industries here made it a prime target for such an attack, so many residents concluded the blast center would likely be local. What sense would there be in constructing a shelter that would, in actuality, be of no value. Secondly, after the actual explosion of the bomb, the radiation would follow. There was no telling how long people who survived the initial blast would have to remain in shelters awaiting the effects of the radiation to dissipate. The psychological effect of extended periods of below-the-earth entombment was objectionable to most people. Finally, there was a most disheartening theory in vogue about moral decisions a family might have to make concerning the inhabitation of the shelter itself. It would have been built to house a minimal number of people, probably the immediate household. What if, in the event of an imminent nuclear explosion, neighbors, friends, or relatives showed up seeking sanctuary? Could any conscientious person turn them down because there wasn't sufficient space or provisions? And if one could, how would the others accept that refusal? Would the shelter's inhabitants have to use physical force to keep others from entering the shelter? People began to have serious reservations about home bomb shelters. The fact is that very few people in this area actually built them, although many residents professed peace-of-mind in the knowledge they had the means of protection necessary for themselves personally if they felt the need.
Not all nuclear disasters might be considered related to a nuclear explosion either. After the incident at Three Mile Island in 1979, and more recently at Chernobyl, the danger of the proximity of nuclear power plants came very much into public awareness. With the closeness of the Shippingport Plant, County and State officials began to work closely with the Atomic Energy Commission to formulate an evacuation plan in case of an accident. Provisions were made to evacuate all people from within a ten mile radius of Shippingport, and arrangements were made for their lodging and care. Schools received instructions on how to transport students to a safe area well outside the radius. Newspapers carried information on the various ways residents would be notified if an accident would occur. They were instructed on the procedures of evacuation, transportation, routes to use, what to take along, and how to prepare ahead for such an emergency. 16 Fliers with these instructions were also sent out to all residences, and the County telephone books carried emergency evacuation maps. After some time was given for the public digestion of this material, tests were conducted in order to evaluate the preparedness of the citizens. Such tests took place for instance, February 17, 1982 and September 21, 1983. The tendency of authorities was to agree that the County residents basically had good knowledge of evacuation and emergency procedures." (See also Emergency Services)
Yet during this time, all was not drills and preparedness. There was some real warfare going on throughout the world. These were the "brushfire" wars that spawned from the clash of ideologies - communism and democracy. No one wanted to call these actions wars perhaps in the fear they might turn into one. But whether one called them police actions, conflicts, or any other term, they involved military force which, in most cases, meant tremendous expending of money, resources, and most of all, men's lives. These "mini-wars" seemed initially to maintain a fairly high degree of intensity, particularly the Korean War. But the nation really did not commit itself to these actions as it did during the World Wars. As time progressed, the country became sharply divided about involvement in the war against the Communist Threat. This became very apparent during the time of the Vietnam Conflict which witnessed public protests and young men fleeing to Canada to avoid serving in Southeast Asia. This phenomena was not quite so apparent in Beaver County, but it did exist.
The sacrifice of the people of Beaver County during the Cold War compared favorably to other times of trial in history. Industries were still pounding out the materials of warfare at a steady pace, though with a lot less fanfare. In fact, the economy of Beaver County experienced a period of boom during the times there was significant military action. But while industry flourished, our youth was spilling its blood on foreign soil, just as it did during the "wars" of the century. During the Korean War, for instance, forty-five Beaver Countians were killed in action along with fifty-three others who died of non-battle reasons. During the Vietnam Conflict, more than seventy-five were reported killed with numerous others who died of other causes, as well as a number missing in action. Aliquippa with 16 killed and Beaver Falls with 13, led the County in this category.
Once veterans returned from overseas, they were still marked with the mental scars of military action. Some still remain with horrible memories indelibly etched into recurrent nightmares. Others carry with them physical wounds that range from minor injuries (of which they are reminded when there is chance it might rain or when they try to play a little touch football with some old buddies) up to such major things as missing arms, legs, toes or fingers. Some of these veterans are unable to maintain a normal life and must be dependent on their families or upon welfare just to live. Some veterans, particularly from the Vietnam Conflict, now suffer from the effects of chemical defolients such as Agent Orange. In 1980, the Beaver County Department of Veteran's Affairs processed twelve claims by veterans that they had been affected by that chemical.
The Beaver County Department of Veteran's
Affairs had been established on March 1, 1937 at the Beaver County
Service Center by Howard J. Cochran, its first director. Originally,
its main function was to register all deceased veterans from the
County and try to provide some help to the families. Soon, its
function became more defined, and it not only dealt with widows
and their children, but made investigations into pensions and
other various veteran-related payments, and provided psychiatric
and health solutions to veterans and their families."
Beaver County has never been one to slight its veterans. Virtually
every community has a memorial honoring its war dead, and they
all provide some degree of maintenance for these monuments. A
very recent example of this was the project to restore the Soldiers
and Sailors Monument in McIntosh Park, Beaver that had been built
in 1900 to honor all county veterans. A successful drive to earn
$35,000 ended officially on November 11, 1986. Three years previously,
Countians had responded with donations of $40,000 to construct
a Vietnam Veteran's Memorial at Quay Square, Beaver.
And just as importantly, are the living memorials, the veterans themselves who represented their country so brilliantly during the conflicts of the past century. These people can be found, for the most part, actively supporting organizations that have dedicated themselves to the community - organizations like the Veteran's of Foreign Wars and the American Legions (virtually every community has at least one chapter), Kiwanis Club, Lion's Club, Civil Defense units, and volunteer fire departments. But whatever they join, they are usually there because of their willingness to sacrifice their time for others.
It seems this trait exemplifies what this
county has done. Whether it be in Cuba or the Philippines during
the Spanish-American War, in France during the First World War,
in North Africa or the Pacific Theater of Operations during the
Second World War, in some "brushfire" action like Nicaragua,
Korea, or Vietnam, or right here in the factories, schools, homes,
or streets of Beaver County, there is a commitment to the cause
by its citizens. Whatever the future brings, one thing will be
certain, Beaver County and its people will respond in a way its
posterity will be proud.