Enter FDR and the fight against "fear
itself." Only 37 days later, the first enrollee began his 6 months
term in "Roosevelt's Tree Army." Involving over 3 and ˝
million men between 18 and 26, the C's were established in more than 4,000
camps in all the states and territories. An attempt by Mrs. Roosevelt to
have a Corps for girls failed. The US Army ran the camps, and the Interior
and Agriculture Department planned the projects. Known chiefly for its
forest work, planting over 3 billion trees, the C's built beaches,
museums, created more than 800 state parks, many fish ponds, bridges,
roads, water supplies and drainage, fought forest fires, and added greatly
to our enjoyment of life today.
Yet, the CCC "boys", although their outfit
was the most successful and popular of the New Deal experiments, are still
not appreciated today. The late actor Wal
ter
Matthau, may be taken as an example. In his obituary, MSNBC noted his
parents' immigrant Jewish background, his career as a "forester in
Montana," and his "graduation" to six battle stars in the
US Army Air Corps. Not noted was his is life out of the New York slums and
into the CCC, where he redeemed the land and himself
This Elderhostel was a tour de force for each of the 17
lucky seniors who were present at this beautiful campus. The food was
good, the accommodations were in private apartments in a dormitory, and
most of all, our three gifted teachers offered warm friendship along with
creative scholarship. They were in harmony with us and with each other.
Dr. "Rick" Frederick, Chairman of the Social
Sciences Division, explained the causes and effects of the Great
Depression in several classes. He was impressive without being depressive.
Professor Isabel Champlin, archaeologist, discussed the ways in which CCC
camps can be uncovered and understood through her science. Isabel educated
us about a little-known triumph of the C's…education. Thousands achieved
literacy through a vast system of night schools and correspondence
courses, which gave us a more literate and skilled army by l942, when the
Corps ended. Our walking CCC website, local guide and all-around buddy was
Dr. Michael Schultz; who was exhaustive but not exhausting. Mike is a
retired teacher,
historian, novelist, playwright, and author of "In The Shadow of the
Trees." The latter is a very sensitive novel about the tragic-comic
adventures of one Wynn Odum, a CCC enrollee, a true "diamond in the
rough." Mike distilled interviews with hundreds of C "boys"
into this fascinating book about life and work "from the
inside." It is a masterpiece.
Our classroom was also under the trees. We had trips
with our "Big Three" into the Allegheny State and National
Forests to view various CCC sites. One memorable visit was to Camp One,
now privately owned, which functioned through the life of the C's. In
addition, we saw a lumber and CCC museum, and World War II museum at
Elderon, PA., where we heard from one of the women who worked in a British
munitions plant. Among the stirring exhibits was The Wall of Valor,
recounting the deeds and photos of Medal of Honor winners. As an
"extra" we were invited to a Rotary Club picnic and a live
concert featuring many of the bittersweet songs of World War II.
There were many interesting videos: Bonus March, Huey
Long, Mike's interviews, "Riding the Rails", the logging
industry in the area, and the classic "The Grapes of Wrath." We
were given many handouts, and four places to see displays of CCC life.
Unfortunately, Brandon will not be offering any more
Elderhostels. I was told this has something to do with Boston's
regulations. In my view, this is very sad, as Brandon was what every
Elderhostel should be. I have been to few that I enjoyed more, and many
that I enjoyed less. This was No. 54 for me.
It has been noticed that since my return home, I am
walking straighter, and my head is higher. This is not because of any of
my own deeds, but because of the people I once walked among.
