TidBit in time

Historians across the nation now realize that they should have started years earlier to collect oral histories of the veterans who were in military service during World War II. Perhaps one reason this group is considered “The Greatest Generation” is that many had previously been members of the CCC where they learned to follow instructions, how to be healthy, were proud of their accomplishments, and volunteered for military service during WWII. They won the war and came home to quietly get on with their lives. To all who were in the CCC or in military service, we owe our sincere appreciation.

The CCC was only one of the New Deal programs set into action during President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first 100 days in office. The 73rd Congress, in emergency session in March 1933, “authorized the CCC program to enroll unemployed young men in a peacetime army and send them to fight destruction and erosion of our natural resources.” Nearly 3,000,000 men were involved in this most popular experiment of the New Deal.

Applicants were to be physically fit, unmarried men between the ages of 18 and 25. No person on probation or parole was eligible to join. The monthly salary of an enrollee was $30.00. Out of this amount $25.00 was sent to a designated family member at home, leaving the enrollee $5.00 to spend as he chose. Living quarters, food, clothing, medical care and hospitalization were provided. Enlistment was for six months, with re-enrollment possible for a maximum of two years. The act provided for a