Biography of Cecil L. Ragland
CCCMan, Company 2383, Camp SP-26, Quantico, Virginia
I joined the C.C.C. in May of 1936. I had no future working on the farm and my family needed the $25.00 a month the government would send to them from my pay. It would help them pay for food and clothing.
I left my home in Perkinsville, Virginia, to report to Army Doctors in Richmond. My cousin, Edward Sargent, from Crozier, Virginia, joined at the time that I did. We left Richmond on the Southern train to proceed to West Point, Virginia. There to board ship to take us to Baltimore, Maryland. We arrived there in the cold gray dawn. At this point we felt like two small boys far from home.
The B&O railroad transported us to Fort Meade, Maryland. While there we lived in tents and learned some basic army rules.
We were next transported by the RF&P railroad to Quantico, Virginia. A Reo stake body truck took us to our C.C.C. camp in the Woods.
The Camp Address was Company 2383, SP-26. This was to be my home for 18 months. Our resort in the woods was 35 miles South of Washington, DC., 8 miles from Quantico, Virginia, and 5 miles from U.S. Route 1. We had no dances or social events.
We had a rec. hall, with a pool table, an abacus to keep score, checker boards, and we had horseshoes. We had limited educational facilities. I took typing on a Remington Upright. We were issued coupon books, value $5.00 to use in the PX.
The company purchased our food from D.C.. Excellent! Those coal burning stoves could turn out some mighty fine chow. How bread, pork chops - my favorites. Bologna in the PM Saturday and Sunday - no good!
We did flag raising and retreat ceremonies. I loved to do that! We dressed in our khaki uniform, I never went AWOL, I loved camp life.
We had two barracks leaders in each end who were firm but fair. One man was Murphy, the other was Smith. Two fine men. The barracks were full - 50 men to each.
Three Army officers were in charge. Our commanding officer was Captain Walter Rice, Infantry Reserve. Our medical doctor was 1st Lt. Clayton Mather, Medical Reserve. The Third Officer was 1st Lt. Richard G. Sloan, Cavalry Reserve.
Some of the many things the C.C.C. boys did at SP-26 was build roads, fire trails, planted trees, beautify road triangle to Quantico, and develop a wayside park on Highway Route 1 and build picnic tables for the park. I was assigned to the carpenter group. My foreman was Mr. Andrews. A fine man.
As a result the Marines invited the whole camp to have Thanksgiving Dinner with them. What a meal, I remember it to this day. The Marines could cook as well as fight. Semper Fi!
The eighteen months I was in the C.C.C. was a most happy time and a great adventure for a 16 year old boy. But then I needed to move on, get a job with a future so I could have a family and home.
Having left the C.C.C. I went to work for the Continental Can Company to retire after 39 1/2 years. After retirement I moved to Florida to spend my sunset years in the Florida sun. I am Age 82 at this time.
I visited my old CCC camp 3 times after I left. As of 1999, a few buildings still stand.
I have a 8x12 picture taken in 1936 of the officers and boys at our camp. Would like to see or hear from my C.C.C. buddies that were at camp 2383 SP-26 Quantico, Virginia.
I would recommend the C.C.C. be recreated for today's generation. The C.C.C. instilled character and discipline in the C.C.C. Boys. The 1930s were Dark Days for America. The C.C.C. was a bright light for us Boys.
Thank you F.D.R..
----- Cecil L. Ragland
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