BELVE BEASLEY, (Pete), I grew up in Rusk, TX, one of 11 children. I attended Maydelle High School, I first joined the CCCs in November of 1936 and was sent to camp at Castle Rock, CO. There I worked on the Explosives Crew, blasting a rock quarry. I went home at the end of my term.

There was still no jobs there, so I re-enlisted for another term in the CCCs on April 5,1939, and was sent to Douglas, AZ to become a GI driver for the Army Dept, and held this job until February 1941.

My duties were to haul supplies for the camp, handle company mail, pick up canteen supplies, laundry, etc. I was also on 24 hour stand-by as Ambulance Driver. I also drove staff cars to trans¬port dentists, doctors, and officials to other camps in all parts of the state. I drove enrollees to Phoenix to attend GI Drivers School.

Later I went to Barber School in Douglas, AZ and became the Company barber. I also took a Sr. Life Guard course through the Red Cross. It was compulsory to have a first aid card and take a refresher course every 90 days. I assisted in saving one life in a lake in Monument.

I became an Assistant Leader in August 1939, and was assistant to the Company Commander.

In 1939 our Company changed from Co. 828, CNM-2-A to Co. 828, NP-9-A. On June 25,1940 our company was transferred to Monument, CO Co. 828, Camp F-60-C. There, in addition to the above duties, I participated in Army planning their recreation. I helped train enrollees and issued their clothing and supplies, I also played on the baseball team.

I received the State Safety Driver Award in Arizona for driving over 100,000 miles without an accident.

I gained valuable experience while in the CCCs and made many life long friends.

I met and married a girl from Monument, Evelyn Eckerson, and we have been married a little over 49 years. We have one son and two grandchildren. We have lived in Colorado Springs most of these years.

I was honorably discharged on Feb. 5, 1941. After leaving the CCCs, I was employed by Civil Service and retired from the Air Force Academy in 1966. After that I owned and operated a Trailer Hitch shop which I sold in 1974. Since then I have enjoyed traveling and fishing.

1 would like to hear from any of the fellows that were in the same company at the time I was. Please contact me at: Belve (Pete) Beasley, Colorado Springs, CO.

All personal accounts are from Civilian Conservation Corps: the Way We Remember It, Nolte, M. Chester (ed), 1990, unless otherwise noted.