At a recent high school track meet, Paul Sheridan saw Marine recruiters stationed in a tent.

Considering the presence of military recruiters in schools and the push for enlistment because of unmet quotas, Sheridan, a West Virginia Patriots for Peace member, thought youth need more direction.

"It's important that if kids are responding to that sort of thing, that they have access to information from adults that can help them discern," he said.

This weekend, Patriots for Peace will sponsor two events geared toward topics dealing with military service and youth. A public forum on Friday and a seminar for those who work with young adults on Saturday will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church.

Both will be presented in collaboration with the Center for Conscience and War, which is based in Washington.

Bill Galvin, counseling coordinator for the center, will speak at both events. Friday's forum, which starts at 7 p.m., will include discussion on conscientious objecting, military recruiting, GI rights and the possible draft.

The Saturday seminar on military recruitment is designed for pastors, youth counselors, career counselors and others in contact with youth who contemplate military service. Registration is required and space is limited.

"People who work with youth have to address this question, and it will give them the tools they need to help direct young adults to make informed decisions about the military," said Lida Shepherd, of the Patriots for Peace. "If they¹re just hearing from military recruiters, they¹re not getting all the information."

In Kanawha County, recruiters usually visit high schools monthly. All high schools in the county, except George Washington High, also have ROTC programs.

The program was pulled from GW three years ago because of low participation. Principal Jim Vickers said that when recruiters do visit, they are courteous, professional and are welcomed like other college recruiters.

But across the country, high school communities have begun to debate whether to allow military recruiters onto school property. Like colleges, high schools are also struggling with the No Child Left Behind Act requirement that makes schools receiving federal funding release the names of their students to recruiters.

"When I talk to young people about the military, and tell them that it is about fighting wars, they think I¹m blowing it out of proportion," Galvin said. "It's not so much these days because of the war in Iraq, but it happens."

Galvin, who has worked with military recruitment issues and GI rights since the Vietnam War, also helps direct those who want out of the military. He also travels the country, telling people about what he says is the ultimate purpose of the military: war.

Almost every day he says he speaks to someone who has second thoughts about a military career.

"I get other calls from people who wouldn't have joined if they understood what they were getting into," Galvin said. "People just need to be aware."

For information about the forum and seminar, visit www.wvpatriotsforpeace.org.

To contact staff writer Chandra Broadwater, use e-mail or call 348-5194.

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