Md. Team That Destroyed Syria's Chemical Weapons Recognized
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It was dangerous, it had never been tried before, and Wednesday, the volunteers who pulled it off received the nation's thanks.
Alex DeMetrick reports it's the Maryland team that destroyed Syria's stockpile of chemical weapons.
Forty-six volunteers who never sought attention for themselves received some anyway for helping to put an end to the chemical weapons attacks on the Syrian people by the Assad regime, which surrendered its poisons last spring rather than face air attacks from the U.S.
That stockpile eventually was moved to sea for destruction, where chemical weapons experts at the Edgewood area of Aberdeen Proving Grounds waited with their machine to neutralize the deadly agents.
"I have led hazardous operations all of my adult life, but could not be more proud of the volunteers," said Tim Blades, team leader.
Those volunteers took a process never tried at sea before and safely destroyed 600 tons of toxic chemicals in just 45 days--a technological first.
"Yes. We tend to specialize in adapting. We do very well at that," team member Will Rowell said.
"A lot of teamwork. Everybody working together to accomplish the mission," said team member Amos Henderson.
But the team's modesty didn't stop a congressional recognition of their efforts and the awarding of the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal.
While the country officially recognized what the team did with their equipment, for family members, the accomplishment is personal.
"Absolutely. It's just a blessing to have them back home safe. And they did a wonderful thing for the entire world," said Nancy Pusey, the wife of one of the team members.
Most of the 600 tons of chemicals destroyed by the Maryland team were the agents that make up sarin--a deadly nerve gas.
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