CCC request leads to book
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, August 10, 2004
To the editor:
I wish to thank the editor of this newspaper, who published (a few months ago) my request for responses from those still living veterans who served in the CCC’s (Civilian Conservation Corps) during the years of the Great Depression (1930-41). I had requested their nostalgic memories of their experiences during their enlistment – the good, the bad, the ugly- where they worked, the tools they used, their life under Army supervision, how their one dollar a day pay aided their families, and also how many millions of the Boys took classes for a trade which furthered their career later in life, and finally how training under Army regulations primed them for quick promotions in their military service in World War II, a few years later.
From all the responses that I received, I found all considered that their time spent in the CCC’s was one of their greatest periods of life- all revered their service and would do it all over again.
I have just completed ( from their responses) my documentary, a 160 page book, titled, The Forgotten Boys of the Civilian Conservation Corps: Who Enlisted as Boys and were Discharged as Men. The book is now available – Write or call Paul E. Jones, P.O. Box 608, Ridgway, IL (618-272-3031)
Paul E. Jones