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Constance "Connie" Sachs
zickbeeut@hotmail.com 


 

"I'm not sure what can be done to keep the Center open, but I would hate to see the records it houses just end up on a shelf somewhere and the memories of our WWII veterans fade away with them."

See email dated: 6/26/2008

 
 
 
 

Camp Forrest during World War II

Mail Sent: Wed 11/26/2008

Steve-
Hope you are having a great Thanksgiving week so far. 
 
I am writing to you because I have the opportunity to participate in the 2009 Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity at the University of Tennessee.  I would use my German POW camp research.  My thesis would be something having to do with the impact the POWs had on the agricultural economy of Tennessee.  Do you know of anyone whose family may have used German POWs on their farms during 1942-1946?  I would appreciate any assistance you would be able to give me.  I am of the opinion that if the German POWs had not been available as contract labor in several different agricultural industries, the United States may have seen a collapse of the agricultural economy due to the shortage of manpower because of the war (the majority of able-bodied men were serving in the military).
 
Thank you for your time and assistance.  I will let you know if I get into this competition.  You will have to come see me!  Viewing of the projects for the general public is April 2, 2009 at the University Center ballroom.
 
Happy Holidays-
Connie Sachs


Mail Sent: Thu 7/17/2008 12:44 PM

Hi, Steve:

Thought of you the other day as I was perusing through some of my notes.  What a journey this is turning into!  My research has taken me to reading about German POW camps in MN and WI as well.  Now I’m thinking I may want to explore the impact the POWs had on the agricultural economies of this country as they were the ones who filled in during severe manpower shortages.  Did you know that all but four states had POW camps??  That was new to me.

Only able to research in spurts now - between semesters.  But, it's all good!

Hope you’re well.  Stay in touch.

Connie Sach
 

Mail Sent: Thu 6/26/2008 4:08 PM

University of Tennessee Center for Study of War and Society

From: Constance Sachs mailto:zickbeeut@hotmail.com 
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 2:08 PM
To: brownf08@gmail.com
Cc: steve@blountweb.com
Subject: Center for Study of War and Society

Dear Mr. Brown:
It is with fascination and sadness that I read your article in today's News Sentinel about UT's Center for Study of War and Society.  I am currently a Senior History major at UT doing independent research into WWII German POW camps here in Tennessee.  Though I haven't gotten very far into my research (I also work full time and am on the tail end of raising three children as well as being a part-time student who is currently in summer school), I was looking forward to the Center as being a primary source for my research.  I have been in contact with a gentleman named Steve Speer who has put together a website about one of the POW camps, Camp Forrest, in Tullahoma.  I mention Mr. Speer because I wonder if perhaps various veterans groups may want to contribute to the continuation of this center.  Your article mentioned that Cynthia Tinker was instrumental in assisting the ETVMA to research over 6,000 names of fallen soldiers from East Tennessee.  I would hope her contribution to these veterans' families would spur the families to donate to the Center in order to keep it open and vital.
 
Mr. Speer and I have spoken several times, agreeing on how vital it is to record the memories of our veterans, especially those from the older wars, so we have an accurate history of those wars.  With so many of our WWII veterans leaving us in such large numbers daily, capturing their memories, either orally or on paper, is vital.  My own father served stateside in the Korean War and I have a brother and two brothers-in-law who also served in the military. 
 
Do you know if there is any effort among veterans' groups to keep the Center for Study of War and Society open?  Another thought may be to make it an extension of the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge, since both entities have WWII in common.  I'm sure that would be a huge undertaking, though. 
 
I'm not sure what can be done to keep the Center open, but I would hate to see the records it houses just end up on a shelf somewhere and the memories of our WWII veterans fade away with them.
 
Thank you for your article.
 
Sincerely-
 
Connie Sachs
 

Wed 5/7/2008 2:35 PM

Seeking information for thesis

Mr. Speer:

I am a Junior History major at UT - Knoxville researching WW II German POW Camps in TN.  I understand that Camp Forrest was one of four POW camps in TN – the other three being Camp Crossville in Crossville, Camp Campbell in Clarksville, and the Memphis Armed Services Depot in Memphis.  I would be appreciative of any information you may be able to give me about Camp Forrest or anyone you many be able to put me in contact with who would have first hand experience about Camp Forrest.  This research is for a possible Senior Research project or Master’s Thesis. 

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Constance Sachs
 

Cope Associates, Inc.

2607 Kingston Pike, Ste. 5

Knoxville, TN  37919

(865) 694-9000

 

Wed 5/7/2008
I spoke over the phone with Connie earlier today and shared a little about what this web site has come to mean to me. She wrote the following note later today.
 

Mr. Speer:

Just perusing through some of the e-mails listed on the Camp Forrest website.  It’s great!  You’re right – people love to share their memories.  It seems to me that when one has had a good experience, sharing memories makes that experience last longer.  Obviously, people remember good things about Camp Forrest.  Thank you for the wonderful website.  It’s a wealth of great information!

Constance (Connie) Sachs