Refusing War, Affirming Peace: The History of Civilian Public Service Camp #21 at Cascade Locks

One of the untold stories of America's World War II experience belongs to the thousands who refused military service for reasons of conscience, instead serving their country through non-military alternate service. Refusing War, Affirming Peace offers an intimate view of a single Civilian Public Service Camp, Camp #21 at Cascade Locks, Oregon, one of the largest and longest-serving camps in the system- and one of the most unusual.
Under the leadership of a remarkable director, Rev. Mark Y. Schrock, and some outstanding camp leaders, the men at Camp #21 created a vibrant community. Despite the requisite long days of physical labor, the men developed a strong educational program, published a newspaper and a literary magazine, produced plays and concerts, and participated in a special school and research project called the School of Pacifist Living. They also challenged the Selective Service System in two political protests-one concerning the threatened removal of a Japanese American, George Yamada, and a second concerning a warrelated work project. Their story shows the CPS system at its best.

Jeffrey Kovac’s thorough research has resulted in one of the very few histories of a single Civilian Public Service Camp, shedding light on non-military alternative service opportunities for conscientious objectors during “the good war.” Refusing War, Affirming Peace is an important contribution to World War II history, peace studies, and the history of the Pacific Northwest.