2. CCC Camp Fairlawn

EDWARD SEKERMESTROVICH

Interview conducted February 6, 1980 by Royal Jackson and Karen Thomas.

1. Arriving at Camp Arboretum

Royal G. Jackson: Mr. Sekermestrovich, maybe we could start with having you tell us about when you first came to Camp Arboretum and what you remember about that -- your first impression.

Edward Sekermestrovich: Oh, I remember one Sunday morning about 6:30, I left the train in Albany, came over the bridge -- was raining like the devil -- and I went to a camp. It was a CC Camp 3503, Arboretum, let's see, I'd say nine miles out of Corvallis. Then we had breakfast. Then we got our sheets and our supplies from the supply room, had our bedding, fixed our beds next I guess it was, after we ate, and loafed around all day after that.

Royal G. Jackson: What led up to your coming to Camp Arboretum? How did you find out about the 3-C program?

Edward Sekermestrovich: Well, times were bad, people didn't have money, and I was the oldest one in the family. I went to camp one time before, that was back in Ohio, and I kind of liked it. There was different things you do back there, different things you learn there, so I went. So that's how I came out here; I signed up for another hitch.

Royal G. Jackson: I see. You'd been in a 3-C camp before?

2. CCC Camp Fairlawn

Edward Sekermestrovich: Yes, Fairlawn was the name of the company.

Royal G. Jackson: Were you originally from Ohio?

Edward Sekermestrovich: Yes, Akron, Ohio.

Royal G. Jackson: How long were you in that camp in Ohio?

Edward Sekermestrovich: I don't remember what the enlistment was, if it was a year or a year and a half. But I stayed there the full amount.

Royal G. Jackson: What year was that?

Edward Sekermestrovich: That was 1935 I think, the first time. Or was it 1936? Have I got a discharge? I don't remember, to tell you the truth on that.