Arthur E. Krenn and the
C.C.C.
In 1990, the State of Wisconsin erected a Tribute Sign to the
C.C.C. camps that were situated throughout the State in the 1930's. The Tribute for many old C.C.C. Campers was
long overdue. But when the news came to these gentle heroes of that by-gone era, much joy and yes, satisfaction
filled their ranks. The sad reality is that their ranks are depleting every year due to natural attrition.
Many of the old Camps are now only a by-gone memory in the
minds of these gentle heroes, but there are some traces of the old Camps still there in the woods, though the trees
and brush has long taken them back to the same oblivion that the C.C.C. is in the minds of the people today. But
in the minds of these old Camper Veterans, those days are as much a 'happening' as ever.
Thanks to the fact that some camps still are there, and also
to the National
Association of C.C.C. Alumni, the boys of
Roosevelt's Tree Army still are a 'Force to be reckoned with' - the many chapters across the country keep the old
memories alive and in some places you may yet find old Museums that are keeping the memory of that time in our
nation when life was not so good. Most everyone was out of work, and struggling to survive. The idlers were found
on streets, waiting in long bread and soup lines, or if they were lucky, working on farms that were still in the
hands of the owners.
Our Hero Arte Krenn was one of them. He and his family found
themselves surviving on a small homestead, and it was due to the blessings of God and also their hard work that
they made it through those difficult times - times that most of those of their generation would just wish to forget
ever happened..
Sometime in 1938, Arte Krenn decided to make a difference
for his family as well as the country, and enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps with thousands of other
young men, where they could earn $30 a month, keeping $5 for themselves and sending home the rest. But they weren't
in it for themselves; they were in it for their families - but what they gained from their hard labor in the Camps
was a work ethic that was par to none. They kept their dignity while they were helping to keep their families solvent
in those difficult times.
So Arthur Krenn and the thousands of other CCC boys, who
came to be known as Roosevelt's Tree Army, learned not only a great work ethic, but were, unbeknownst to themselves,
being martialed for War, for in a few short years, those same boys who were learning to accept hard work, were
learning to live the Army way. As the 40's were nearing, those same young men who were planting trees in the North
Woods, or building roads and dams; or building wildlife habitat would trade in their spades for Springfield rifles
and were ready to fight one of this nations most difficult wars. These are our Heroes who I write about with such
respect and admiration. And these are those who have come be be known as America's Greatest Generation.
In 1990, the State of Wisconsin erected a Tribute Sign to
the C.C.C. camps that were situated throughout the State in the 1930's. Arthur E. Krenn happened to participate
in the Dedication of the Sign which marked the presence and location of the Camp he served in, back in 1938. It
was also the Camp which my father served in back in 1936: Camp Riley Creek or otherwise known as Camp 642.
This photo was taken on that auspicious day in 1990.. and
so this Website is dedicated to The Men who served in the C.C.C. camps across this land, who were Martialed for
War.. these are our Gentle Heroes, for whom this nation is indebted to, and to whom we all should be duly Proud
- which I, for one, am.
Ken 'Jake' Jaccard, YN3, USNR-R '61-'67
Winchester, TN - July 6, 2007
