Camp Toccoa Veterans Project - Help Wanted
Bob,
I saw your email to Ben on Mail Call concerning the new website. I had Ben
and Merle McMorrow help me previously to get the word out concerning a history
project that I am conducting for Camp Toccoa veterans. Ben included my
project letter on a recent Mail Call and Merle is going to have the letter
published in the next edition of the Thunderbolt.
I was hoping that since you had some more horsepower for the 517th web site now you would be able to include my Camp Toccoa project letter on the site (letter is below). The web site and the Thunderbolt may be the best methods I have in getting the information out between now and the Oklahoma City Reunion where I anticipate conducting the majority of my project interviews.
My letter also discusses a Camp Toccoa reunion that will be this September in Toccoa, GA. The reunion is for all four regiments that began at Toccoa and one of the key agenda items will be the dedication of a new PIR monument and flag pole at the camp site. I will also be sending you separate emails with photos attached that can be included on the web page with my letter. The pictures (below) show the new PIR monument which is a poured concrete form in the shape of a parachute canopy and risers. In the middle of the concrete base is the flag pole and along the top of the canopy are four granite markers for each of the PIRs that trained there.
Update: The organizers of the Camp Toccoa Reunion have provided registration information on the 506th PIR Currahee website. The Camp Toccoa Reunion information is available at: http://currahee.hispeed.com/ Click on "Currahee Reunions/Events".
Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
Brian Behrens
March 2003
CAMP TOCCOA VETERANS’ HISTORIES WANTEDI am interested in recording oral histories of 517th PRCT veterans who trained at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. I am conducting this project with the endorsement of Mr. Ray Ward, who is the President of the Stephens County Historical Museum in Toccoa, for the purpose of creating an archive of oral histories of veterans from the 501st, 506th, 511th and 517th PIRs who trained at Camp Toccoa in 1942-43. The goal of my project is the historical preservation of the stories of men who began their initial training at Toccoa, and then as members of Parachute Infantry Regiments and Regimental Combat Teams, went on to achieve peace and security for the world on the battlefields of Europe and the Pacific. Additionally, I am also interested in obtaining copies of photographs that the veterans would like to submit with their oral histories. The oral histories and photographs are intended for public dissemination through the Stephens County Historical Museum and myself, Brian E. Behrens. I will be attending the 517th Parachute Regiment Combat Team Biannual Reunion in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in June 2003. I would like to compile a list of 517th PRCT veterans who would be interested in sharing stories about their Camp Toccoa training as well as any “in theater” experiences. I prefer to conduct my interviews face-to-face with the 517th veterans; however, I realize that some of you do not travel to every reunion so I am leaving the option of conducting phone interviews as an alternate method for sharing your histories. Also, the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce in Toccoa, Georgia, is hosting the 2003 Camp Toccoa Reunion, September 25-28th. This reunion is for the veterans of the four regiments who trained at Toccoa. There will be a dedication of a new monument and flagpole at the location of the main gate of the former Camp Toccoa (see pictures of monument and flagpole below). I will also be attending this reunion and will be available to conduct interviews with 517th veterans in attendance. The Camp Toccoa Reunion agenda is still being formalized and any questions concerning logistics and schedule should be directed to the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce, (706) 886–2132. How do I collect oral histories? I prefer to conduct my interviews face-to-face as this enables me to meet a majority of my interviewees in person and manage a more meaningful dialogue with them. I will record the veterans’ histories using a digital voice recorder that allows them to be saved on a computer and compact discs (CDs) for archival purposes. I am also utilizing a digital scanner that allows me to save high quality copies of any photographs the veterans may like to contribute. I should note here the veterans would not have to fear loaning their photographs to me for photo shop reproduction. I will be able to create and archive copies of photographs to a computer using a digital scanner during our face-to-face interviews. If you are interested in contributing to my project I would like to hear from you. I can schedule your interview for either the 2003 517th Parachute Regiment Combat Team Biannual Reunion in Oklahoma City, the 2003 Camp Toccoa Reunion in Toccoa, or by telephone. Brian E. Behrens |
