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CCC
Workers Statue Update: Eagle
Scout Candidate Grant Atkinson serves as ambassador for CCC heritage and wins
Distinguished Finalist for the Prudential Spirit of Community Award.
News
Articles - Alabama:
-
November
13, 2007 Eagle
Scout Project makes the Daily Home newspaper, November 13, 2007
-- "CCC
meant opportunities for young men" by Judy Arnold >>>>>
(Click here to read)
-
CCC
Legacy Journal: Sept/Oct Edition 2008 - Click here
to read >>>>>
(Adobe pdf 42kb)
Poem:
CCC Trail
Book
for Sale: The Civilian Conservation Corps in Alabama,
1933-1942: A Great ad Lasting Good,
Author: Bob Pasquill Click here for order
form and more information
>>>>(Adobe pdf 118KB)
Personal
History: John
Griffin
In the true spirit of an Eagle Scout candidate, Grant Atkinson of Alabaster,
AL, continues to serve as an ambassador for the the Civilian Conservation
Corps. His latest activity is winning Distinguished Finalist for the
Prudential Spirit of Community Award. As one of the top four finalists in
the state of Alabama he will receive a bronze medal for his work. He is
getting the Prudential award for his work on the CCC Workers Statue project for
raising over $6,000.00 toward the project, and his rank as Eagle Scout.
Grant's accomplishments have gotten him congratulations from Governor Riley,
State Representatives, as well as a congratulatory letter from the White House.
Recommended by one of his teachers the school principal give the final approval
for him to submit his project for consideration. He is a repeat winner of the
Prudential award.
The Prudential Spirit of Community Award is a national program. The top
finalist from each state has their project submitted against other top state
finishers for the national award. That winner gets scholarship money and a
gold medal.
A recent article in the Birmingham News about his accomplishments also served as
the impetus for an invitation to share the story of his project at the
Community Service Fair at Bumpus Middle School, Birmingham. The
event is attended by approximately 350 seventh graders and is seen as an
opportunity to inspire other youth to become involved in service to their
community.
 Eagle
Scout Grant Atkinson works to get CCC Workers Statue at Cheaha State
Park
A
change of pace. Since the NACCCA statue program was first
developed by NACCCA #129 in Grayling, MI, Chapters have always taken
the lead in the fundraising and placement. As we reach out to
second generation audiences to get involved in CCC preservation, we
welcome Grant Atkinson and his family, Bobby and Martha, to the
effort.
Please
read Grant's letter in his own words which tells about how he became
interested in CCC heritage. Please click. Grant's
Letter, (pdf)
Please
make a donation to this worthwhile project of interpreting the CCC history
of Cheaha State Park. Donations are tax deductible and can be
sent to:
CCC
Legacy - Alabama, P.O Box 1451, Alabaster, AL 35007
For
more information about the project send and email to ccc@ccclegacy.org
subject: Alabama Statue.
By: Jacqueline
I. Pitts
Evergreen,
Alabama
(An
Atmosphere)
Frogs echoed in base tones across the swamp
Occasionally we heard one jump "kaplop!"
For years we had enjoyed these night sounds
Where the beauty of nature and wildlife
abounds.
Called the "CCC Trail", a winding
country road,
A wooden bridge, not meant to cover heavy
loads.
Over years the Oak planks had begun to
crumble
Our tires carried with them a quiet rumble.
An atmosphere that country folks call ideal
Among an intermittent night bird's squeal.
Giant Water Oaks clasped the earth with
webbed feet
Sounds of tree toads echoed across the creek.
Rushing water sounds over a beaver's dam
Beside the road, pools of water, a night
critter's drinking stand.
Reflecting a more peaceful scene under bright
moonlight
A perfect slough for those that course
throughout the night.
So few eyes would ever see, so few ears would
ever hear
Of the CCC Trail, a wooden Oak plank bridge,
an atmosphere!
Knobby tree roots wove fingerlike into this
land
A mystery among hanging moss and white sand.
Thanks to
Jacqueline Pitts of Evergreen, Alabama for sharing her poem "The
CCC Trail" and the remembrance of CCC enrollee John
Griffin. Information like this is a reminder to American's about the "quiet
heritage" of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Please give
consideration to what you might be able to do in your community to
preserve the legacy of the CCC. August 18, 2006
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"THE
CCC TRAIL" IN CONECUH COUNTY ALABAMA
INTERVIEW
WITH MR.
JOHN GRIFFIN OF EVERGREEN, AL
BY JACQUELINE PITTS
AUGUST 17, 2006
During
the recent enactment of the E911 system in Conecuh County, every road
without a name sign would soon be given an official name and sign
post. It was my hope that
the quaint country road winding throughout the beautiful green forest
around our home would remain "The CCC Trail".
Our neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. John Griffin, were the first ones I
called to ask what they thought about naming the road.
Mr. Griffin's response was, "It's always been known as the
"CCC Trail", and with that, I called the City Commissioner.
He affirmed that the road would certainly remain titled
"The CCC Trail"! Soon
thereafter, Mr. Griffin kindly shared with me the time he served in
the CCC during his youth.
Mr.
and Mrs. Griffin have a close view of this quaint country road from
their ranch on Highway 83. With
the established road sign soon to be erected, we appreciate being
given a look into the history of one who served this Nation and one
who continues to educate us about the history of the CCC.
"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. John Griffin!"
On May 19, 1939, at the age of 16, Mr. Griffin joined the
Civilian Conservation Corps, serving two years (May 1939 - May 1941):
CAMP NAME: Evergreen,
AL #2 (May 10, 1939 - May 15, 1941)
OCCUPATION: Forestry
and soil erosion
CAMP NAME:
Athens, AL #6 (June 10, 1940)
OCCUPATION:
Tree planting and soil erosion
From
1941 through Spring of 1944, Mr. Griffin worked on the shipyards of
Mobile Bay, Alabama. On May 10, 1944, Mr. John Griffin joined the U.
S. Navy during WW II, serving in
the South Pacific Seas until 1946.
He was assigned to Ship #29 and Ship #233.
His rating for "Radar 3rd Class" almost put him in
the service for
another 6 years, but he decided not to re-enlist. On
May 7, 1946, Seaman 1st Class John Griffin was honorably discharged from
the U. S, Navy.
He
returned to Evergreen, Alabama where he purchased a service station
and farming land.
He married Miss Faye Smith on August 4, 1948.
Their children: (1) Johnnye
Faye (Griffin) Miller; (2) Debra
(Griffin) Booker; and (3) Rachel (Griffin) Tyner.
Unfortunately, Debra passed away due to cancer at the age of
29.
Mr.
Griffin was self-employed from 1946 - 1993 as owner and operator of a
service station and in his farming/cattle ranch in Evergreen, AL.
Mrs. Griffin was also employed for twenty-eight years as
secretary for the Lyeffion School System and for the Evergreen City
School in Evergreen, Alabama until her retirement.
Presently, Mr. and
Mrs. Griffin actively maintain their farming and cattle ranching
operation with the help of their grandson.
They attend the Evergreen Church of Christ in Evergreen,
Alabama.
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