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Camp Elklore: polio, best junior camper!

rigdoncurrie

During the summer of 1942 or 1943, I went to Camp Elklore in Southern Tennessee. Charles had been there and enjoyed ti and the sons John and Frank Jarrell,  of friends of my parents were counselors there.


I was in a cabin with 7 other boys. I excelled at handicrafts and did OK at sports. Tward the end of summer there was an awards ceremony. I won an award or two but was very hopeful of being selected as the best “Junior Camper”. I was not so selected and lost to a boy who was more of an athlete and  deserved it.


But it hurt me deeply nonetheless. I shed a few tears in private and never forgot it…


I went back the next summer. Half way through the summer, the polio epidemic hit Camp Elklore with a vengeance! 3 boys in my cabin were sickened. Many more in camp were affected. My parents came up and took me home. It was very scary.


Unfortunately, John Jarrell was not so lucky. He was crippled badly but persevered and became a successful physician.

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