EVENTS & PHOTO GALLERY 2022
February 19-21, 2022
Boy Scout Troop 400 from Florida arrived at Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc on Sat Feb 19 and departed on Mon Feb 21 2022.
They spent two nights in the barracks at Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc, and learned the history of Camp Toccoa. They also walked Currahee Mountain during their visit.
March 7, 2022
Camp Toccoa welcomed the USAF 480th ISR group that visited the camp and ran Currahee Mountain.
March 12 - 13, 2022
The Todd LeMaster is a supporter of CTaC and rented the barracks for his group. While here his group, toured the facilities, were told of the history and plans of CTaC, walked Currahee, watched videos about CTaC and the men who trained here, and they stayed overnight in the 506th barrack. It was the coldest night of the year but they remained warm due to the generous donations to CTaC by the Hart EMC Foundation’s Operation Roundup. Todd plans to bring another group in April.
March 20, 2022
The Coloma MI High School baseball team that visited Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc. Mr Kevin Van Peteghem, their coach, coordinated with CTaC to arrange for the visit. While visiting Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc the team received a tour of the camp and learned the history of the men who trained here. They concluded their visit with a walk/run up & down Currahee.
March 24 - 27, 2022
Re-enactors from the H Company of the 504 Regiment of the 82nd Airbourne Division visited the Camp Toccoa for four days. While at the camp, they re-enacted the 511 Regiment which left Camp Toccoa in March of 1943. The group is led by Captain Brian Shelton. As the above pictures show, they set up a mess tent along with a dishwashing station, marched, conducted rifle practice and ran up Currahee Mountain. The group stayed in the 517th barracks.
March 31, 2022
The 1st Battalion 506th Infantry of the 101st Division (Red Currahees) visited Camp Toccoa at Currahee and ran Currahee Mountain. They are Commanded by Lt Col Jeff Farmer.
April 2, 2022
South Carolina Army National Guard and ROTC cadets from Clemson, Furman, Bob Jones, Anderson, USC Upstate, and Lander Universities visited the Camp and ran Currahee Mountain.
April 7, 2022
The 2 58th IR " Patriots" from Ft Benning visited Camp Toccoa. They visited the facilities and learned the history of the Camp Toccoa before and after their run up and down Currahee.
April 22, 2022
A church group from the Atlanta area camped and utilized the pavilion at Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc on Friday evening Apr 22 2022, they repelled Currahee Sat morning Apr 23 2022. They toured the facilities at Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc and learned the history of the men who trained here.
May 11, 2022
The above is video of the 4th Ranger Battalion from Ft. Benning running up Currahee Mt. While visiting, they leaned about the history of the Camp and the men who trained here.
The video is courtesy of Stefan and Mandy Lee Boiten from the Netherlands who were visiting the Camp at that time as well. Thanks Stefan and Mandy Lee for capturing the moment.
As a token of appreciation, the 4th Ranger Battalion presented CTAC with a plaque and two challenge coins.
May 26, 2022
Members of the 263 AAMDC South Carolina National Guard visited Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc and ran Currahee Mountain.
While at Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc they learned the history of the camp and visited the buildings and C-47 on the site. After showering and changing at Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc they were heading to the Currahee Military Museum and then on to the local VFW Post 4346 to dine on spaghetti.
May 30
More than 150 people attended the Memorial Day service. The Junior ROTC presented the colors and the VFW post 4346 performed flag folding.
June 1 - 2
Bethlehem Academy from Bethlehem, GA stayed overnight at the Camp then ran up Currahee Mountain the next day. While at the Camp, they received a tour and learned the history of the men who trained there. They were presented with t-shirts by the school for their stay and run.
June 3 & 4
The annual Banquet (June 3) & Run up Currahee (June 4) was held in honor of D-Day. Approximately 100 people attended the banquet to hear the guest speaker J.D. Huitt of the History Underground channel on YouTube. In November of 2020, episode 100 of History Underground featured Easy Company and Camp Toccoa. To date, the video has been viewed over half a million times. J.D. spoke about the importance of history and history education.
On June 4th, CTaC had more than 290 paid participants either runner or sponsor runner come out to run 3 miles up and 3 miles down Currahee Mountain. The winner was Ronan O’Neill, a 19 year old from Pendleton SC with a time of 40:42. Previously he won in 2019 as a 16 year old. (Ronan pictured above along with a picture of his fleet feet)
June 6
Courtesy of:
THE TOCCOA RECORD
BYLINE: J. TODD TRUELOVE
(edited from original)
Camp Toccoa at Currahee hosted its first wedding event Monday.
Andrew Shiffer and Alexa Berry tied the knot at Camp Toccoa after Shiffer discussed many options for their wedding with his bride.
Shiffer’s a 2007 graduate of Stephens County High School, but he’s been in the military since 2006 through a split option program.
Shiffer said he came up with the idea to have the wedding at Camp Toccoa at Currahee after the Army decided to revert its uniforms back to the former “pinks and greens” from the World War II era. Shiffer said he was fortunate to have already had such a uniform to wear for the June 6 wedding. "I had to search … and piece together the uniform,” he said. And his soon-to-be-wife Alexa, he said, was enthusiastic about the idea. "She’s (Alexa) a huge Band of Brothers fan,” Shiffer said. "We tried to go as old school as possible with it,” Shiffer said.
He said he was stationed in Montana when he met Alexa, who is a native of Oregon.
They started planning for their wedding in 2021 and visited Camp Toccoa at Currahee in March of that year when they asked about having the wedding. Shiffer said they intentionally planned to have their wedding on June 6, the date of the D-Day Normandy landings in 1944. "It fit the theme,” Shiffer said. "This place has always been motivational for me since joining,” Shiffer said. “I don’t think we could have found a better location.”
Congratulations to the happy couple!
June 9
Empower Academy Jr. ROTC from Jackson County, GA visited the Camp walked up Currahee Mountain. They are led by CSM Melvin Farr. While at the Camp they learned about the men who trained here and visited the facilities and exhibits. They had lunch at the pavilion.
June 28, 2022
Four adult leaders from Houston Tx who brought members of their troop to BSA camp at Rainey Mountain in Rabun County Ga took time from their busy schedule to visit CTaC on Tuesday June 28 2022. They were Steve Simpson, Boy Scout Master; Jeff Hunt, Assistant Scout Master, Austin Sharp, Assistant Scout Master and Ash Alashqar father of scout. They received a tour of the camp and learned of the history of Camp Toccoa. BSM Simpson (in red shirt) is all smiles taking a picture with volunteers from CTaC.
July 15 & 16, 2022
Capt Darren Cinatl and several friends stayed in the 506th barracks on Fri night July 15 and Sat night July 16th. Having just returned from an assignment in Poland Captain Cinatl and several friends visited and stayed at Camp Toccoa at Currahee. During their visit they walked up and down Currahee, toured both the Camp and Currahee Military Museum, went to VFW Post 4346 and ate at X Factor. Attached are a couple of pics.
August 20, 2022
A Living History group of reenactors paid CTaC a surprise visit with a jeep in tow. The Co E 2/506 PIR 101st AB LHG from NY had been to Ft Benning. They changed into their reenactor uniforms and unloaded the jeep to make the trek up Currahee. Richard Amato, driver; Conor Amato at the 50 cal.; and Robert Scarabino, standing.
August 25, 2022
Over 20 veterans from all over the US, who are members of this group and hold various positions at INTUITIVE visited Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc. After a guided tour of the camp they walked up and down Currahee, Two female members ran up the mountain. They each were proud to receive the “Currahee - 3 MILES UP 3 MILES DOWN” bracelet for their effort.
INTUITIVE employees many veterans from all branches of service and encourages them to join this group.
This visit to Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc was arranged by Wayne Johnson -de Vinci Clinical Sales Manager -Atlanta.
September 9, 2022
Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc opened it’s gates Fri Sept 9 2022 at 6 AM to allow 24 members from Ft Campbell’s 101st ABN to tour, learn the history of the camp and run Currahee the same path the trainees did it in 1942-43.
The 24 were members of the 101st ABN Div (Air Assault) Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. They returned to Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc again this year to run Currahee, they received the bracelet Currahee! 3 MILES UP 3 MILES DOWN for their effort. They enjoyed their tour and run very much.
September 12, 2022
Band of Brothers tour group with Ambrose Tours paid a visit to Camp Toccoa. After going up Currahee they had lunch in the pavilion. They left CTaC to tour all of the locations the Band Brothers were during their stay in England.
September 16
The Marine Corp. Jr ROTC from Rutland High in south GA visited Camp Toccoa and ran up Currahee Mountain. They learned of the history of the Camp and toured the facilities. They also presented CTaC with a memento of their visit. Sgt. Major Allen is an instructor and came with the group (pictured above) . The visit was organized by Master Sargent William Strohsahi.
September 30 - October 1
Local Stephens County resident Craig Oglesby and fellow Veterans held their “Fox” 2-506 Infantry Combat Veterans Reunion Friday and Sat evening Sept 30 and Oct 1 2022 in the 506th barrack at Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc.
We were proud to welcome back to Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc these former members of the 506th and look forward to their next visit and stay with us.
October 1
The Currahee Military Museum held their annual banquet in the pavilion at Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc. The banquet is part the of the Currahee Military Weekend festivities held in Toccoa each year. The featured speaker this year was Stephen Sowerby from Aldbourne England. His father, who recently passed, was instrumental in getting the stables that once housed part of Easy company of the 506th moved from England to the Currahee Military Museum. The Stephens County High School Jr ROTC provided the Honor Guard for the Pledge and singing of the National Anthem.
September 30 - October 2
Dwain Sayers displayed more than 5 tables of his collection of WWII memorabilia in the 517th barrack at Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc during Currahee Military Weekend 2022.
October 7
Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc was visited by the family of Toccoa man Louis Anthony Berrena on Friday Oct 7 2022. Pictured are Louis Berrena at his 99th birthday, his daughter and her husband Trish Hummer in front of HQ building and 517th barrack.
October 12
The White Currahees from Ft Campbell paid a visit to Camp Toccoa to tour the facilities and to run up and down the mountain.
October 14
The family of Easy Company 2 506th Toccoa man Don Malarkey from Oregon visited Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc. Pictured is Marianne McNally his daughter, her husband Dan and daughter Erin as well as friends from Germany.
October 21
Members of the ROTC at the University of North Georgia conducted a leadership outing at Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc, Currahee Mountain and the Currahee Military Museum. This outing was arranged by CPT,LG Michael Cowart, Assistant Professor of Military Science.
October 22
Over 150 members of the Toccoa High Alumni Association, held their annual catered Bar-B-Que in the pavilion at Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc. Many visited and received a guided tour of the last remaining original building from Camp Toccoa.
October 22
Twenty-nine Veterans from the McCormick(SC) Area Veterans Association arriving at 9:30 AM, they received a guided tour of the CTaC facilities.
October 28
Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc welcomed members of the 3rd Battalion of the 60th Infantry from Ft Jackson SC. After touring the CTaC facilities they ran Currahee the original way and had a spaghetti lunch in the CTaC pavilion. They enjoyed their tour, gift shop, run, lunch and plan to make this an annual event.
Nov 5
These former members of “Warfighter Overwatch”( 1 32 Cav) from all over the US held part of their reunion at Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc on Sat Nov 5 2022. They were given a guided tour of the last remaining building from Camp Toccoa, ran Currahee the original way and toured the other facilities at CTaC during their visit. They enjoyed their visit very much. They had planned a unity bon fire at the CTaC camping area Sat evening but it had to be canceled due to rain. This event was planned by Faun ONeel from CA and he plans to bring others to visit Camp Toccoa and run Currahee.
Nov 10 - 12
Several veterans, some were former members of the 506th, stayed in the 506th barrack the nights of Nov 10 11 12 2022.
During their stay: they attended the Veterans Day program in the pavilion at Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc, visited the Currahee Military Museum, rucked Currahee and enjoyed several other places in the area.
This was part of the group’s second stay here. In spite of the weather, the group enjoyed their stay and visit here so much that they have asked to be penciled in the same dates next year. The visit and stay was arranged by James Summer (left in the barrack pic).
Nov 11 - Veterans Day
Despite rains from Hurricane Nicole, Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc hosted the Veterans Day program conducted in the pavilion at Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc. The attendance was about half of the attendance in 2021 with 75 loyal Patriots from the local area braving the rain to honor the Veterans on this special day.
The speaker was Craig Brown a former 82nd AB paratrooper and local church pastor.
After the program, the Veterans were treated to a lunch at the Elks Lodge 1820.
Nov 12
Julie and Andy Suby from Ames Iowa visited Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc. Julie’s great uncle was a Toccoa man, PFC Donald Eckels Headquarters Company 2 Battalion of the 506th PIR. PFC Eckels was KIA on D-Day 1944. Camp Toccoa was on their bucket list and they came to visit in honor of PFC Eckels.
Nov 18th
Seneca, SC Highschool Jr. ROTC visited Camp Toccoa. They received a guided tour, toured the barracks, had lunch in the pavilion and walked Currahee Mountain.
Nov 19th
Students came to Camp Toccoa as part of a “learning” field trip arranged by Nicole Hedden a teacher in the History Department at Andrews High in Andrews North Carolina. While on the field trip they visited the Currahee Military Museum in Toccoa, received a guided tour of Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc and had lunch in the pavilion at Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc. These students were anxious to learn about the history of the Camp.
Nov, 29th
Part of the 513th Military Intelligence Brigade (T) from Ft Gordon visited Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc. They arrived early and received a guided tour of the Camp, they then ran Currahee the same route as the trainees a Camp Toccoa did. As they returned from their run they continued their visit to the HQ building and the other facilities, followed lunch in the pavilion. They enjoyed their visit and will return with other members of the brigade.
Dec. 3rd
Chain Buster Racing held their annual event. Approximately 150 cyclists competed in either the short course (24 miles) or long course (40 miles) events. The short course departed Camp Toccoa at Currahee Inc at 9 AM, the long course departing 15 minutes later. The rains came and all got wet and muddy. They used the pavilion at Camp Toccoa at Currahee, Inc for registration and post race festivities.