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

Remembrance:  Allen B. Penrod, Co. #3503, Corvallis, OR

I enlisted in the program in June 1939.  Place of enlistment, Lebanon, Ohio.  My stay there was less than 2 weeks—getting uniforms, khakis and undergoing medical exams—shots x-rays, etc.  Also indoctrination of missions of the C’s.

 July 10—Loaded on a troop train destination unknown.  Train was made up of three day coaches and one kitchen coach.  Train originated in Cincinnati.  Four days later myself and two other enlistee’s detrained in Corvallis, Oregon.  While still in route we were informed that we had started three brush fires from throwing cigarette butts from the open windows of the day coaches (we had been given free cigarettes).

 I was assigned to Camp 3503 Corvallis.  There we were issued work clothing, blue denims, rain gear and calk boots, since this was a “lumber camp”.  We were formed into work units—six men and one foreman.

 Our prime duties were to make a “truck trail” through McDonald State Forest in conjunction with Oregon State University.  My first duty was with tree stump removal.  First to undermine tree stumps to place dynamite for quick destruction—then fill in the holes.  Later removed from that duty due to getting headaches from exposure to the fumes.

 Then assigned to cutting up the fallen fir trees.  My first experience with a double bladed axe to trim off limbs.  From that to “cross cut” 2 man saws.  Being a city grown boy I knew nothing

these tools.  Soon graduated to two single man cross cut saw cutting the trimmed fir trees into three foot lengths.  These were later split, stacked, and dried for fire wood. 

 Our second mission was to maintain fire trails through sections of the forest and ground of the country sides.  Hazel Hoe duty—a heavy headed 3 inch blade one side and a 2 inch blade ax on one handle.

 Our third mission to fight forest fires.  During my five months in Oregon, I was included on three minor one-day fires, and one five-day fire in Oregon American Forest.  The only good thing on a multi-day fire was after three days the food furnished by the US Forest Service was so much better than that furnished by the C’s food service.

 I did learn some wood working shop work while convaling from an axe cut on my foot from hitting a knot while slitting dry wood for mess hall cook stoves.  Also, to make “shakes” for roofing.  And, as part of my learning, I found out that you don’t eat green English walnuts.  A fast and almost continuous trip to the latrine results.

I was offered a foreman position ($10 increase in pay) if I would reenlist for another six months but I turned it down.  From that experience, I enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps.  Stayed in service 28 years.  It was an easy transition from the C’s to the Army.  

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

J.L. Burkheart, Bend Oregon

My dad Junior Layman Burkheart, “G.L.”, was in the CCC after his father and mother died.  He was the oldest of nine children.  Their mother died and three months later their father passed away.  Dad would send money back home to help with raising his brothers and sisters. 

He once told me that when he and a friend joined the CCC he told them he wanted to go as far away as he could.  They sent him from Boydsville Arkansas to Bend and Franks Glen Oregon.  He worked with the fish and game, and also cleaned land. 

He had many good things to say about CCC camps, and so many stories to tell me and my brothers and sisters.  He had a work ethic like no on else and I’m sure was due to the structure of being in CCC camps.  He passed that work ethic on to his children, and would always tell us to have dreams and goals and to work toward them, and not depend on someone else or the government to do what you should be doing for yourself.  He was a great example and a dad I was so proud of and loved very, very much.  He was and always will be my HERO. 

J.L. lived in Clay County Arkansas all his life, and was residing in Corning at the time of his death.  Dad passed away July 29, 2008. 

Dad lived in a nursing home the last couple of years he was alive.  Before he passed away, they did an interview with him and his statement from this interview was,” Advice to the younger generation is to be appreciative of what you have and always try hard to accomplish your dreams.”

I would love to hear from anyone who has connections with the camps in Bend and Franks Glen Oregon.

Donna Burkheart Campbell