Have people forgotten the past events that claimed the lives of over 900 American citizens in Jonestown, Guyana? Maybe I've just missed it but I haven't seen a single story on the news this week concerning these tragic events that took place 34 years ago.
Thirty four years ago, I was a 20 year old Sailor in the U.S. Navy stationed at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, assigned to the Air Terminal. My job function then was the loading and unloading of all types of military aircraft. This past Sunday, November 18, 1978, was a normal day off for me as the Air Terminal was usually closed on Sundays. However, on that day, at the compound of The People's Temple in Jonestown, Guyana, it was far from typical. I had no idea what the evening of the 18th., or the following 11 days would bring. I would find out very soon.
Thirty four years ago, I was a 20 year old Sailor in the U.S. Navy stationed at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, assigned to the Air Terminal. My job function then was the loading and unloading of all types of military aircraft. This past Sunday, November 18, 1978, was a normal day off for me as the Air Terminal was usually closed on Sundays. However, on that day, at the compound of The People's Temple in Jonestown, Guyana, it was far from typical. I had no idea what the evening of the 18th., or the following 11 days would bring. I would find out very soon.
Sunday evening found me at my home, located on American Circle in the base housing area. I was notified by telephone that we had an emergency flight coming in with injured personnel from Guyana. No one knew of what had happened on the airstrip or how the people became injured. I was told to respond to work, as were the rest of my co-workers, and prepare for the inbound flight. At this point, I had never heard of The People's Temple or the Rev. Jim Jones. My being educated was right around the corner.
California Congressman Leo Ryan arrived in Guyana to survey Jonestown and interview its inhabitants. Ryan decided to cut his trip short after being threatened by a Temple member and return to the U.S. with some Jonestown residents who wished to leave. As they boarded their plane, a group of Jones's guards opened fire on them, killing Ryan and four others. Some members of Ryan's party escaped, many with injuries. These were the occupants of the flight we were about to receive. Even after hearing of the airstrip tragedy from the passengers and flight crew, we had no idea of what was to come.
Upon learning of what happened at the airstrip, Jones told his followers that Ryan's murder would make it impossible for their commune to continue functioning. The People's Temple would preserve their church by making the ultimate sacrifice: their own lives. Most of the 914 followers were given a deadly concoction of a purple drink mixed with cyanide, sedatives, and tranquilizers. A few others had been found stabbed or shot, obviously not willing to go along with the suicide plan. Jones shot himself in the head rather than suffering from the poison.
California Congressman Leo Ryan arrived in Guyana to survey Jonestown and interview its inhabitants. Ryan decided to cut his trip short after being threatened by a Temple member and return to the U.S. with some Jonestown residents who wished to leave. As they boarded their plane, a group of Jones's guards opened fire on them, killing Ryan and four others. Some members of Ryan's party escaped, many with injuries. These were the occupants of the flight we were about to receive. Even after hearing of the airstrip tragedy from the passengers and flight crew, we had no idea of what was to come.
Upon learning of what happened at the airstrip, Jones told his followers that Ryan's murder would make it impossible for their commune to continue functioning. The People's Temple would preserve their church by making the ultimate sacrifice: their own lives. Most of the 914 followers were given a deadly concoction of a purple drink mixed with cyanide, sedatives, and tranquilizers. A few others had been found stabbed or shot, obviously not willing to go along with the suicide plan. Jones shot himself in the head rather than suffering from the poison.
The next day, November 19, would be the start of over 100 missions "in the humanitarian relief of U.S. citizens in Jonestown, Guyana". As news spread of the events, aircraft were dispatched to the same airstrip where Congressman Ryan was killed. Roosevelt Roads was to be used as the stopping point for fuel and food before they continued to Guyana. C-141 and C-130 aircraft were loaded with empty caskets to begin the recovery of the victims. Once in Jonestown, personnel loaded the victims into body bags before placing the bags inside the caskets. At one point, due to the lack of caskets, aluminum transport cartons were used. Even then, there were not enough containers and multiple bags/victims were placed into each container. Once loaded onto the aircraft, most of the planes would return to the Air Terminal at Roosevelt Roads where we would "take whatever action needed to be taken" in regards to the victims. Due to the level of decomposition caused by the exposure to the tropic temperatures, these bags would leak body fluids into the non-airtight containers and the smell of decomposing human flesh permeated the aircraft. We didn't have the luxury of hazmat suits or breathing apparatus. We had gloves and dust masks. Many of the caskets on the C-130's were offloaded and then loaded onto C-141's before continuing to Dover AFB in Delaware for identification.
This was my first exposure to the changes of the human body after death, and I became more curious with the transformation. I guess you could say that it was the beginning of my career in Forensic Science.
This was my first exposure to the changes of the human body after death, and I became more curious with the transformation. I guess you could say that it was the beginning of my career in Forensic Science.
With tomorrow being Thanksgiving, there is so much that I am thankful for. It is quite different than the way I spent Thanksgiving Day 34 years ago.
This period, November 18 thru November 29, 1978 continues to follow me to this day and I will never forget the tragedy and the almost 1,000 lives that were lost through blind faith and the following of a religious cult and the direction of a madman.
I hope you won't forget either.
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