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CCC honors members at Jubilee

Raymond D. Comer of Clarksburg receives a CCC Hall of Fame certificate and medallion for his late father, Raymond Comer of Shinnston.

QUIET DELL – The Annual Spring Civilian Conservation Corps Honors Jubilee and Luncheon took place April 22 in the Dining Hall of the Quiet Dell United Methodist Church, Quiet Dell, Harrison County.

A reception ran from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. CCC Displays featuring CCC Camp Hardy, Camp Harrison and Camp Parsons were viewed by nearly 30 attendees.

Two CCC veterans were in attendance. James Lewis, 97, of Helvetia, Randolph County and Doddridge County, and his wife, Veta; and B.D. Linn, 93, of East Grafton Road, Marion County; each spoke of his experiences serving in the CCC and in the U.S. military.

Reggie Rogers, president, of Chub Run, Harrison County, called the general meeting to order. Pastor Brian Boley, Quiet Dell United Methodist Church, delievered the invocation. Dr. Robert E. Anderson called the membership to order, nominating Reggie Rogers, who served as vice president, and president pro temp after the passing of President Charles S. Piercy of Kingmont in February. Rogers was unanimously approved as president.

Anderson also updated the association on progress on the Replica CCC Barracks and plans for the summer. “We are hoping to increase our membership and have more volunteers to help with tours of the museum this summer and fall,” he added. “We appreciate the West Virginia Heritage Crafts folks who are instrumental in keeping our museum open six days a week.”

The program continued with Co-Curator Joy Winet of Fairmont introducing the Pledge to Old Glory, and a moment of remembrance to those CCC family who have passed. Edwin Winet, 1931 truck chair, played several selections from his 1930s collection. Co-Curator Ruth Justice of Charleston and her husband, Lionel, also attended. Also taking place was the Spring 2017 West Virginia State CCC Museum Association Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. President Rogers presented the Hall of Fame Medallion and Official Certifcate in honor of the late Raymond Comer (CCC) of Shinnston. Accepting the honor was R. Donald Comer, son of the inductee, and his wife, Barbara, of Clarksburg.

Joy Winet related a brief biography of Comer. He was born April 21, 1915, the son of John and Daisy Stuck Comer. Comer attended Shinnston schools. As the Depression was causing many financial problems for his family and the nation, young Raymond joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and served at CCC Camp Parsons.

Camp Parsons, Tucker County, was known for producing millions of tree seedlings for planting across the state and nation. The CCC Boys, among other duties, had to pick up pine cones in the forests in order to start seedlings at the Valley of Parsons. Comer served his country in World War II as a Marine and was aboard the USS Missouri when the treaty ending World War II was signed. Right before the luncheon, catered by Gourmet Catering of Clarksburg, Edwin Winet played several timely selections on the harmonica and diatonic accordian. Joseph Tekel of Elkins addressed plans to create a CCC Camp Parsons Museum. “There are several of the old CCC buildings remaining there, and we hope to launch the project in the near future,” he said.

After the luncheon, a auction of antiques and valuables was held. Matthew Earl of Clarksburg and Betty Kehrer of Buckhannon conducted the auction. Patricia Piercy was in charge of receiving attendees at the door. Betty Kehrer, Patricia Piercy and Joy Winet set up the displays the night before. Rogers thanked all those who helped make this springs honors jubilee a success. “Special thanks to Patricia Piercy and her family for serving the luncheon and providing snacks and desserts,” he said.

After the event, numerous attendees visited the CCC Museum and its annual Spring Fling. The CCC Museum association meets at 2 p.m. the third Sunday of every month at the museum location. The public is invited to the May 21 meeting.

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