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Camp Okoboji, SP-9, Iowa

Tionesta Valley Snowmobile Club Honors Veterans

On Friday, 21 August 2009, a ceremony and Allegheny Picnic were held in honor of the 76th anniversary of the founding of the Civilian Conservation Corps and the second anniversary of the dedication of the "Worker" statue in front of the Warren County Visitor Center. 

Several veterans of the CCC and their families and friends attended, including board members of the national CCC Legacy organization. A brief ceremony was held at the statue, followed by a wreath toss and "Allegheny Picnic" at Buckaloons. 

Promised Land State Park, PA - 75th Anniversary 

The Promised Land State Park Annual gathering and Reunion was held August 15, 2009.  Guest speakers were CCC Legacy members John Moscinski, CCC Alumni-Chapter #8, and second generation supporter Kathleen Duxbury, Photographer. 

 John’s remarks focused on the forward movement of current American efforts to bring attention to the next generation of CCC-like programming and the need to go forward with honoring the CCC. 

 Kathleen Duxbury is using her skills to show appreciation to the work of her father in the Civilian Conservation Corps and is building a photo gallery of images that honor her father’s service.  Kathleen is the daughter of CCC alumni, George Duxbury who served at Co. 3205 Hartwick, NY; Herse, ID; and Oregon. 

 The Promised Land Park remembers the work of Camp Pocono S-139 and is the location of the Masker Museum.  The museum received its name from long time advocates Henry and Margaret Masker.  He served as a fire warden for Pennsylvania of Forestry for 69 years. 

 The CCC Workers Statue of Promised Land is located at the Masker Museum and was donated for the 75th Anniversary by Thomas H. Frantz, CCC Squad Foreman at Camp S-139, Pike County, PA.  

 Kathleen’s CCC photo gallery can be viewed at www.kathleenduxbury.com/CCC.html 

CCC Legacy Journal:  Vol. 33 Issue 5 - September / October 2009 

Chapter #125 Holds Annual Picnic

Volunteers make it happen!  All great causes have volunteers that keep the momentum on the move.  In Chapter #125 of New Castle, PA the momentum comes from the steady energy of Angelo and Katherine Nocera.  Since 1990, Angelo has served as chapter president and Katherine has served along side to keep the heritage of the CCC alive in western Pennsylvania. 

 The 2009 Chapter #125 annual picnic was held on August 1 with about 50 people in attendance.  The gathering was held at the historic Cascade Park which is home to the 9th CCC Worker Statue placed there through the coordination of Chapter #125 in September of 2000.  The Lawrence County Honor guard posted the colors and Charles Varro, CCC Legacy Treasurer and former NACCCA president,  was on hand to say a few words and give greetings.  Good food and good company made for an enjoyable day of celebration and remembrance. 

 If you are from the western Pennsylvania region, you are invited to attend the Chapter #125 meetings.  They are held the first Saturday of every month at Lark Enterprises, 2665 Ellwood Rd, Route 65, New Castle, PA.  The next big event that the chapter will be hosting is the Christmas Party  which will be held on the first Saturday, December 5 at 6:00 pm also at Lark Enterprises in New Castle. 

 For more information about Chapter #125 and its activities, please call Angelo Nocera, at  724-652-9564.   

Sacrifice at Pepper Hill Fire Commemorated, PA S-132

By John Eastlake, Life member

This past October was the 70th Anniversary of the Pepper Hill forest fire.  The fire occurred on Oct. 19, 1938.  Unfortunately, several CCC boys perished plus a Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Water foreman.

The fire was one of a series of arson fires that were set in the very remote and rugged Elk State Forest in Cameron County, about four miles southwest of Sinnernahonign State Park.  The CCC boys were from the S-132 Hunts Run camp.

There were two crews on the fire, most of the CCC boys had been on a fire the previous day and hadn’t returned to camp until 5:30 am.  Then they were called to go to the Pepper Hill fire at 1:00 pm.  There everything that could go wrong did.  A sudden wind change forced the backfire behind the one crew and the steep hollow that they were working acted as a chimney.  The fire quickly moved uphill, forcing some of the CCC firefighters to run uphill and others to skirt the fire header.  Those that survived climbed trees and several large rocks to evade the fire.  There were seven who were overtaken by the fire and perished. 

In October 2008, the Cameron County Historical Society honored these CCC firefighters.  Two bus loads of people, including family and others who were interested, were taken to the actual fire area, the Cameron County Little Museum, which as a lot of local CCC information and to the former Hunts Run camp.  Three former CCC boys, Paul Palamarchuck, Andy Majorsky and Andy Richnafsky were in attendance and were the guides.  That was very special. 

Saturday concluded with a religious ceremony at the Wayside Memorial near Emporium that was dedicated to the CCC boys were perished.  On Sunday, there was a Mass at St. Marks in Emporium, a dinner complete from a Hunts Run CCC menu, and a CCC video by Dr. Mike Schultz.  The Cameron County Historical Society had a number of tables with local CCC camp information.

Two of the Hunts Run CCC “boys” who were in attendance during the weekend had survived by climbing up one of the large rocks.  Andy Majorsky had been the first to the rock and pulled Andy Shenal and Andy Gaydos up onto the rock.  Andy Majorsky and Andy Shenal were there during the weekend but unfortunately they couldn’t both be there on the same day.  Since that time, they have logged a lot of telephone time.

The Cameron County Historical Society did a great job in the planning, the location of information on the fellows who had perished and the finding the “Andy” rock survivors. 

The CCC legacy really lives on in Cameron County, PA.  Check out these website for additional information. www.thelittlemuseum.org   www.wildfirelessons.net/documents/The_Pepper_Hill_Fire_of_1938.pdf