A most incredible, interdisciplinary (Social Studies/Science classes attended) speaker event took place on Monday November 20th, 2023 with expert guests from across a wide spectrum of professions and backgrounds came to Manchester Regional High School to speak with students about the past, present, and future of nuclear policy. This event was organized, planned, and facilitated by social studies teacher Gabriel Chalom and took place in our Innovation Center. Guests included Mr. Randy Sowell, Archivist of the Truman Presidential Library and Museum, MAJ Frey, Deputy Director of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Nuclear Science and Engineering Research Center, Professor Squassoni, Director of Policy Coordination in the Nonproliferation Bureau at the US State Department, and notably at 101 years old, Mr. Harold “Hal” Behl, US Army, US World War II Veteran, Veteran of Manhattan Project at Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
The program began with Mr. Behl recounting his story at Oak Ridge, Tennessee when he was a soldier and engineer in the Army tasked with enriching uranium. The uranium he enriched was used in the first atomic bomb in human history, “Little Boy” on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Next, Mr. Sowell spent time discussing the history of the Manhattan Project, and the decision making of American leadership, particularly by President Harry S. Truman and Secretary of State Henry Stimson. Professor Squassoni followed by discussing her background working for the US State Department in the Nonproliferation Bureau; Professor Squassoni described her work negotiating treaties with foreign nations during the Bush and Clinton administrations in the 1990s. For example, she described her work negotiating with Russia to reduce the production of plutonium in 1992, and visiting North Korea in the 2010s as an advisor to government officials. Lastly, the school listened to MAJ Frey, who described his role in the US Army as a defense strategist in nuclear policy. MAJ Frey who explained to the class aspects of the history of the creation of the atomic bomb, the science behind the bomb, the current geopolitical risks and concerns of the military. To conclude the event, MAJ Frey along with Professor Squassoni, ended the symposium by discussing the measures taken by both the political leadership (especially the President) and military to ensure that weapons are safely managed.
Arguably the most important moment during the entire symposium was when Mr. Chalom asked Mr. Behl, “Given living through the deadliest conflict in human history [and your experience as one of the creators of the atomic bomb during World War II]...in your opinion, what is your advice for the current generation to make sure we keep our peace and keep America safe?” Mr. Behl powerfully responded by expressing that we must continue to keep America strong, and we must hold on to and protect our values at all costs. In the wake of the rise of authoritarianism, global terrorism, and wars across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Mr. Behl’s message remains more important than ever.