28th Annual Camp Roosevelt Reunion and Picnic

Camp Roosevelt Campground in the George Washington National Forest 

September 11, 2005

Regular as clockwork the annual Camp Roosevelt reunion and picnic is held the second Sunday in September.  A beautiful fall day greeted the visitors as they walked the original paths built by CCC enrollees over 70 years ago.  The picnic pavilion built by former CCC enrollees in 1986 was a beehive of activity as CCC enrollees, family and volunteers prepared to enjoy the tasty homemade potluck delights.  (Click photos to enlarge.)

The traditional program stated with the Pledge of Allegiance and ended with stories from the "Boys".

Norma Burnette, NACCCA #13 President, gave the invocation for mess call before heading to the picnic pavilion for lunch

Stephanie Bushong, USDA Fs Lee District Interpretive Specialist, update picnic goes on the status of the new facility.

Joe Lehnen, VDoF, led the memorial portion of the program.  Each year a prayer is said for in honor of those CCC'ers who have passed away.  Since our picnic occurred on September 11, victims of the terrorist bombing on 9-11 were also recognized.  Everette Leake shared his September 11, 1943 WWII Navy experience.  While in service on the U.S.S. Savannah off the coast of Salerno, Italy, the ship was knocked out of commission by a high altitude Nazi bomber loaded with a radio controlled bomb.  The blast killed 213 of his shipmates.  The Savannah was towed to Malta for repairs and then eventually back to the Philadelphia Navy shipyard.  

-- Memorial prayers -- 

Edward Ashley, NACCCA #13

Lawrence Ferguson, Camp Roosevelt

Fred Helsley, Camp Roosevelt

John Kakalec, NACCCA #13

Edward Ruple, NACCCA #115

Charlie Saffell, Camp Roosevelt

Bud Schertle, NACCCA Exec. Dir.

Jack Vaught, NF-21 New Castle, VA

Author, Hal Bush graciously donation some copies of his book entitled "Flashback of a Ranger."  Proceeds will be used in the fundraising effort for the CCC workers Statue.  As a special treat, purchasers had their books autographed.  An autographed book was also donated to the Shenandoah County Library.  These books are still available for sale.  

The Camp Roosevelt Reunion and Picnic is held every second Sunday of September.  Next year it will be September 10, 2006.

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Last modified: 12/20/2009...