Three people were arrested with one receiving cuts on his arm from handcuffs during a protest at Vandenberg Air Force Base on Wednesday.

As they have done for many months, a small group - they numbered eight this time - gathered at the Main Gate for a monthly vigil that typically lasts an hour and ends without arrests.

They stage in a preapproved demonstration area, the grass near the Vandenberg sign at the corner of Highway 1 and California Boulevard.

But Wednesday, Air Force security forces personnel arrested three people, Vandenberg public affairs officials confirmed.

One of them, Dennis Apel of Santa Maria, said Thursday that his arrest stemmed from being issued a letter barring him for a lifetime from the base due to past actions.

Yet, Apel says he has attended monthly peace vigils in the past, including as recently as September, without being arrested. He was cited during an Oct. 3 Keep Space for Peace action.

Vandenberg officials say the two others arrested - Elden "Bud" Boothe and another man - failed to present identification when requested, leading to their arrests.

The base lists the rules for protesters on its Web site, including that they must possess valid government-issued identification and show it when requested.

Base officials confirmed that Boothe received a minor injury. A Los Olivos resident, Boothe is a World War II veteran who is in his 80s.

"His injury occurred when he began to swing his arm in an attempt to prevent his detention and being handcuffed by VAFB Security Forces personnel," Vandenberg officials said.

On their Web site, protesters claim a security forces member searching Boothe "grabbed at the center part of the handcuffs and swung around, tearing his shirt and the skin on his arm."

Military officials said they called American Medical Response "out of our concern for his well-being and safety."

Boothe was treated for the cut, then released once the processing was complete.

He could not be reached for comment.

Apel and the third person also were cited and released Wednesday.

The group plans to protest at the base early Nov. 18 in conjunction with an intercontinental ballistic missile test. Apel said he didn't know if he would attend that action due to other issues and not a fear of being arrested again.