FDR proposed the New Deal to reverse the downward economic spiral that occurred due to the Great Depression.
The goal was relief, recovery, and reform for those who were hardest hit.
At this time in history, all Americans had been battered by 25% unemployment and Dust Bowl droughts, as one bank failed after the next.
FDR's goal was to provide relief, recovery, and reform for those who were hardest hit.
Who will step to the plate during these hard times?
Is there an individual out there that can unite this country, and put America back on its feet with a vision as forward-thinking as FDR's plan.
Following this crisis, where will the answers come from that will address all of the fallout that has been caused by this virus?
Money printing is like putting a bandage on cancer, it may hide the ugliness for a while, but when the bandage can no longer conceal the ailment, the real shit will hit the fan.
We will need more than newly printed $100 bills. What we will need will be a person of FDR's stature with an ability to think out of the box.
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a major part of Franklin D Roosevelt's New Deal program. Its intention was twofold.
This program ran from 1933 to 1942.
During the Great Depression, with many families on bread lines and unable to find work, this program was initiated.
FDR's plan was to put men back to work and to protect our nation's natural resources.
Of all The New Deal programs the CCC was the most successful one.
Rural areas like the town of McDonough New York, which I live in, benefited from this program.
This is a picture of a chimney that is less than 5 miles from my house, one that I have passed hundreds of times.
I never stooped to take a closer look until just recently, and I am so glad I did.
That is the beauty of blogging, it heightens your desire to look into things like this.
This is a picture of an information board constructed at one of the entrances to the McDonough State Forest.
All of the pictures in this post come from this board.
I have learned so much about the history of this area while creating this post.
More importantly, I have been reminded of the historical events that have molded this Great Nation we call AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL.
From this photo, you can see exactly where the chimney was located when it was functional. The picture is of the housing complex where the men stayed.
Prior to this permanent structure being build the men stayed in tents.
Camp #3 was a segregated camp.
Lumber being offloaded in preparation for building the permanent structure.
All in all the CCC program employed more than 3 million young men nationwide. 1,500 of these men were stationed in McDonough. With the Federal government purchasing over 75,000 acres alone in Chenango county it is no wonder that this area is so picturesque.
These state lands provide some of the best White Tail Deer hunting and Turkey hunting, in the region.
I can capture images of these wild game animals on a daily basis.
Recently harvested corn fields always leave remnants behind.
Turkey will flock to these fields as food is abundant.
It was not until the permanent structure was completed in 1933 when both African Americans and white men would work side by side.
Being a foreman paid dividends, no bending over.
In a seven-year period the men from Camp 68 planted over 15 million trees in Chenango County alone.
Nationwide, over 300,000,000 trees were planted by the CCC.
The Boss.
Flooding was prevalent in McDonough and surrounding areas, especially in Oxford NY, which is about 4 miles from McDonough, as the CROW FLIES.
If you could read the words on the 7th photo in this post, following the devastating floods of 1935 and 1936, the men of McDonough CCC Camp S-68, were instrumental in rebuilding the infrastructure of the town.
It sounds like these young lads knocked the ball out of the park. With the times being as bad as they were, what a character-building experience this must have provided.
These men were going from having their hand out, to being productive citizens. On top of that, you were able to send $25 home to our family.
Tell me that wouldn't put a little bounce in your step.
What a GREAT IDEA, FDR mustered up!
We could use a big old helping of Ingenuity these days.
Rebuilding a bridge
Fighting the floods of 1936
This is a picture of a NY historical marker. The Chenango Canal parallels the main street of the town of Oxford. This canal has a story of its own, including the flooding of Oxford.
This monument for the boys of Mcdonough Camp S-68 is about 50 yards away from the main stone monument.
An appreciation for open land and its natural resources was brought to the attention of American Citizens during this very difficult time, Great Depression, impending WWll.
The sheer brilliance of FDR's CCC program has proven to be the spearhead of America's continued conservation efforts.
These efforts have protected and sustained millions of acres of natural beauty for future generations.
I wonder what state America the BEAUTIFUL would be in now if it were not for the foresight of FDR.
Not only did FDR's New Deal programs provide our country's young men with an opportunity to regain their DIGNITY, by feeling like a MAN again, through HARD WORK, it also saved some of the NATURAL BEAUTY of our nation, that hopefully all of us have had a chance to marvel at.
I feel so fortunate to be living in the middle of such a marvelous speck of our planet!
I wonder if something like this could be pulled off today???
A Character building program, available to those willing to WORK HARD.
Coupled with an activity that helps thy neighbor.
I hope some of this got you thinking!