Georgia State Parks- CCC Reunion

The boys of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) will once again gather at Vogel State Park for their annual reunion. The reunion will be held on Saturday, May 10 at the park's group shelter. The program begins at 10:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome to attend this living history program. Lunch will be covered dish with the Vogel Volunteers providing fried chicken and drinks.

2008 is the 75th anniversary of President Roosevelt's New Deal initiative that introduced many new federal agencies to help pull the country out of the Great Depression. The CCC was just one of these agencies that made a difference. This natural resource focused agency was the beginning of the state park system across the country. The boys of the CCC fought forest fires, performed erosion control and planted billions of trees. All this contributed to the rehabilitation of the natural resources that had been abused by decades of improper farming and forestry practices.

A feature of the reunion will be tours of the John B. Derden Civilian Conservation Corps Museum. The museum located on park grounds preserves the history of Roosevelt's Tree Army.

The boys attending are encouraged to share memories and photos so that others will have a greater understanding of the sacrifices made during the Great Depression of the 1930's.

Carry a covered dish along with the family to this fascinating program. Vogel State Park, operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, is located 11 miles south of Blairsville or U.S. Highway 129/19. Call the park at 706-745- 2628 for more information.