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Dave Reyburn's avatar

To add to the enduring accomplishments of the CCC you cited in your letter, the program left future generations beautiful infrastructure elements in state and national parks, such as pavilions, bridges, and lodges.

These buildings and other structures including such as lookouts along the Blue Ridge Parkway were built from local stone and timber and designed to invite Americans to experience the relaxation and exhilaration of spending time outdoors. They still do, quite powerfully.

Thank you for reminding me of the program and its contribution to my quality of life.

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KD's avatar

Another excellent history lesson for an A&S grad who rarely made it to his 9am classes. Today I’m up early reading and appreciating your letter to us all. It’s so important for us to understand how we got to where we are now in the story of America. Like a good and interesting trail guide your letters not only help us along the way but explain more about what we are seeing. Thanks so much, Dr. Richardson! During the pandemic I’ve been doing a great deal of reading...history, literature, current events. Lincoln who struggled hard to understand our founding principles, I believe... despite the crushing anxieties and endless frustrations he suffered and endured throughout the course of the Civil War, was increasingly nurtured by the founders ideas and his love and empathy for all Americans. Every time I get down about what people like McConnell are trying to do, I ask myself...how would Lincoln try to deal with him and his fellow party members? With humor? Kindness? Empathy? Yes, I think so...and then he’d do what President Biden and his party are now so steadily striving to accomplish—-because their initiatives are well aligned with our founding ideas and our best accomplishments. I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity to live a pretty long life...every day is an opportunity to learn more about things that are important to us all. Thanks again for the excellent work you are doing.

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