African American Military and Veterans Lineage Day

African American Military And Veterans Lineage Day

2025

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, each February during National Black History Month we remember the African American military service members who came before us and honor those who continue to serve in our nation's armed forces; and

Whereas, North Carolina's African American community has shouldered much of the burden of battle in numerous American military engagements, donning our nation's military uniforms to answer the call of duty; and

Whereas, we remember soldiers like Captain Frederick C. Branch from Hamlet, a Montford Point Marine and the first African American Commissioned Officer in the United States Marine Corps; Lieutenant William McBryar from Elizabethtown, the second African American from North Carolina to be awarded the Medal of Honor; Technical Sergeant John Davis (JD) Lewis from Raleigh, a Montford Point Marine and the first African American broadcaster for WRAL and North Carolina; Gunnery Sergeant Francis Marion Hooper, Jr. from Laurinburg, a Montford Point Marine and Congressional Gold Medal recipient; and Gunnery Sergeant Robert Lee Thomas from Durham, a Montford Point Marine and a Congressional Gold Medal recipient; and

Whereas, these and many other African Americans from North Carolina have triumphed over oppression and injustice to contribute to our state's military history and to American history and deserve our recognition and appreciation; and

Whereas, in 2019, the North Carolina Department of Military and Veteran Affairs joined forces with the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, North Carolina State Archives, the North Carolina Museum of History, and the North Carolina Humanities Council to collect and amplify these stories as part of the African American Military and Veterans Lineage Project; and

Whereas, the service and sacrifice of these brave individuals continues to impact us today, and the State of North Carolina is proud to recognize these heroes who served with honor and distinction;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim February 20, 2025, as “African American Military And Veterans Lineage Day” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this thirteenth day of February in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-fifth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.