I am interested in recording oral histories of 501^st PIR veterans who trained at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. I am conducting this project with the endorsement of Mr. Ray Ward, who is the President of the Stephens County Historical Museum in Toccoa, for the purpose of creating an archive of oral histories of veterans from the 501^st, 506^th, 511^th and 517^th PIRs who trained at Camp Toccoa in 1942-43. The goal of my project is the historical preservation of the stories of men who began their initial training at Toccoa, and then as members Parachute Infantry Regiments, went on to achieve peace and security for the world on the battlefields of Europe and the Pacific. Additionally, I am also interested in obtaining copies of photographs that the veterans would like to submit with their oral histories. The oral histories and photographs are intended for public dissemination through the Stephens County Historical Museum and myself, Brian Behrens.
 

Although I was unable to attend the 501^st PIRA Reunion in Colorado Springs, Colorado, due to a scheduling conflict, I am planning to attend the 2004 reunion in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In the interim, I would like to compile a list of 501^st PIR veterans who would be interested in sharing stories about their Camp Toccoa training as well as any “in theater” experiences. I prefer to conduct my interviews face-to-face with the 501^st veterans; however, I realize that some of you do not travel to every reunion each year so I am leaving the option of conducting phone interviews as an alternate method for sharing your histories.
 

How do I collect oral histories? I prefer to conduct my interviews face-to-face as this enables me to meet a majority of my interviewees in person and manage a more meaningful dialogue with them. I will record the veterans’ histories using a digital voice recorder that allows them to be saved on a computer and compact discs (CDs) for archival purposes. I am also utilizing a digital scanner that allows me to save high quality copies of any photographs the veterans may like to share. I should note here the veterans would not have to fear loaning their photographs to me for photo shop reproduction. I will be able to create and archive copies of photographs to a computer using a digital scanner during our face-to-face interviews.
 

If you are interested in contributing to my project I would like to hear from you. I can schedule your interview for either the 2004 501^st PIRA Reunion in Michigan or by telephone.
 

Brian E. Behrens

7555 Cavaletti Circle

Cumming, GA 30040

(770) 667-3320

brianebehrens@hotmail.com
 

Also, the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce in Toccoa, Georgia, hosted the 2003 Camp Toccoa Reunion, September 25-28^th. This reunion was for the veterans of the four regiments who trained at Toccoa. There was a dedication of a new PIR monument and flagpole at the location of the main gate of the former Camp Toccoa (see pictures of monument and flagpole below).