The patches of the four regiments who trained at Camp Toccoa at Currahee
1942-1945
Vision
The
purpose of the Camp Toccoa At Currahee Project is to celebrate the
lives and
contributions of the Airborne paratroopers who trained at Camp Toccoa
at
Currahee Mountain during World War II. Each of these boys left
Currahee as “Toccoa men” and have since carried on the tradition
of
"Currahee - We Stand Alone". These American Heros deserve to have
their legacy of leadership preserved. The Camp Toccoa at Currahee
Project started as a
dream that “should be” done and has now become a project that “must be”
completed for the stories of these true American heroes to be told on
the hallowed ground where their lives were changed forever.
Many
of us were not yet born when the paratroopers trained on Currahee Mountain. When the camp closed only the memories of
those who experienced it first-hand remained. Few of these men talked about the
war until reaching the time in their lives when they began to share
their stories with authors and, ultimately, with film makers. As the
books and movies gained popularity, the significance of the actions of
the “Toccoa men” and those who followed in their footsteps became
apparent and the thirst for their stories led many to historic Camp Toccoa and Currahee Mountain
to learn more.
The Stephens County Historical Society was instrumental in preserving
items initially given in honor of Camp Toccoa. As the popularity
of the
story and the numbers of donations of military items increased, the
Society moved the museum to a larger facility in the historic train
depot where the troops coming to Camp Toccoa had arrived. The
premier of "Band of Brothers" brought international recognition to the
paratroopers
and Camp Toccoa at Currahee Mountain and the numbers of visitors to
Toccoa increased
dramatically. An addition to the depot allowed the Society to
accept
the donation of a stable from Aldbourne, England, in addition to
thousands of pieces of memorabilia given by veterans, their families,
friends and admirers from all over the world. A second addition
to the
museum was necessary to house more of the items that contribute
valuable information about the legacy of Currahee.
It was with great joy that the Stephens County Historical Society
received the donation of almost six acres of original Camp Toccoa
property from Pacolet-Milliken in 2011. The last original building from
the camp is on this parcel of land and its preservation will be one of
the first phases of the Camp Toccoa at Currahee Project. An original
barracks will be rebuilt on the property thanks to Steve Lathan and his
family who stored it since the camp closed decades ago. These are the
only remaining facilities of what was once the home of 15,000 troops
who came to Camp Toccoa at Currahee Mountain to begin their training.
We trust that there are others who will join Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc. , a
501C3, non-profit organization, to preserve the legacy of leadership of those great American heroes. When you read
the scope of this project, you will wonder how something of
this magnitude can be done by volunteers in a small town in Northeast
Georgia. The reality is that Camp Toccoa at Currahee does not belong to
this community; it belongs to the world! Without each of us committing
to this project, the heritage and legacy of Currahee will be lost
forever. Future generations deserve the opportunity to visit this
unique historic treasure and see, hear and feel what those men learned
and took with them as they served their country around the world.
Visitors from all 50 states and 70 countries have journeyed to Toccoa
to the Currahee Military Museum and Currahee Mountain. With
access to the facilities planned for the project, Toccoa can once again
welcome those searching for the Camp Toccoa at Currahee experience.
The
annual Currahee Military Weekend will finally have a site for re-enactors to
camp, a pavilion for the banquet honoring
returning veterans and families, and access to the hallowed grounds that
served as the birthplace for World War II PIR's.
The project will
allow military personnel to experience the legacy of leadership that
began here nearly 70 years ago as they run the mountain and camp on
site with support
facilities.
As we consider the impact of the legacy of leadership that began at
Camp Toccoa, the potential for programs and activities is
limitless. Groups expressing interest in the project include:
active and retired military, ROTC, JROTC, Boy Scouts, associations,
clubs, organizations, businesses, industries, high schools, colleges
and universities, churches and elected officials. We look forward
to offering quality leadership and character training for all
interested parties and allowing access to facilities for reunions,
weddings, memorials, camping, competition, research and the celebration
of the lives and contributions of the “Toccoa Men”.
The Camp Toccoa at Currahee group has adopted the slogan: “Currahee –We
Stand Alone (Together) Again”. Please help us make it happen!
By: Cynthia Brown - Chairperson / Steering Committee
