The public is invited to an event recognizing the Blue Grass plant team and destruction of the nation’s declared chemical weapons stockpile Wednesday, Oct. 11, at 11 a.m. ET at the Armed Forces Reserve Center, 233 Battlefield Memorial Highway in Richmond, Kentucky.
“This is an opportunity to honor this historic achievement, not only for us in Kentucky, but the United States and across the world,” said Dr. Candace Coyle, former site project manager, Blue Grass plant. “Destruction of the GB rockets not only marks the elimination of all chemical weapons at the Blue Grass Army Depot, but the destruction of all chemical weapons in the declared U.S. stockpile.”
The last chemical weapon, an M55 rocket containing GB nerve agent, was destroyed July 7, 2023.
“This event will pay tribute to the remarkable accomplishment of the hard-working men and women who made it happen and the community that supported their efforts,” said Ron Hink, project manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass.
The event will include remarks from local, state and national leaders, and a commemorative flag presentation. The 100th Army Band and Madison Central High School Choir will provide music.
Seating is limited. To RSVP, visit: www.peoacwa.army.mil/bgcapp-destruction-completion-event/. The location is wheelchair accessible. Please submit requests for sign language interpreters and other reasonable accommodations before Oct. 4, 2023, to the Blue Grass Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office staff at (859) 626-8944 or bgoutreach@iem.com. A live video stream will be available on YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/usaeacwa.
Attendees are prohibited from bringing weapons of any kind, to include pocketknives, alcohol or drugs, drones, and large bags or backpacks. Bags and jackets may be searched upon entry.
Starting in 2019, BGCAPP safely destroyed more than 523 tons of chemical agent stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot since the 1940s. The depot, located near Richmond, Kentucky, will continue its mission providing conventional ammunition services, chemical defense equipment management and manufacturing capabilities for the Department of Defense.
The Blue Grass Chemical Activity, a tenant of the 15,000-acre depot, was responsible for the safekeeping of the chemical weapons stockpile stored at the depot. The U.S. Army and the community surrounding the depot worked in partnership to achieve the safe destruction of the stockpile.
