On the cover: 1st Lt. Mackenzie Corcoran Passing Army Ranger School
First Lt Mackenzie Corcoran, former Fayetteville Academy student, embraced the challenge of passing the U S Army's Ranger School, earning the coveted Ranger tab Photo by Staff Sgt Brenden Delgado, courtesy 25th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
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A distinctive melody An all-male chorus group made of veterans and ministers has influenced people from New York to Panama through music, friendship, and faith. 36
D-Day 80th anniversary Veteran retired Lt Col Dale Cremisio traveled to Normandy, France, for the 80th anniversary of D-Day on behalf of his late friend and WWII veteran, Col Sam Kitchen
High-risk breast clinic New high-risk breast cancer center eases fears by providing early monitoring, comprehensive care, and support
Welcome Neighbor Day Fayetteville welcomed a huge influx of soldiers at Fort Bragg in 1941.
D-Day coins were made for retired Lt Col Dale Cremisio's trip to Normandy, France, for the 80th anniversary of D-Day
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EDITOR’S TAKE
A memorable summer
What a dead jellyfish taught me about behavior
BY BILL HORNER III, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
It wasn’t a rare occurrence, this thing I encountered — a jellyfish washed up on the sand of a North Carolina beach — but, to me, it still felt like it was some kind of omen.
It was the summer I turned 14. My dad and my older sister Belinda and I were spending a week at Long Beach on Oak Island. It turned out to be a tough and trying stretch of days for a lot of reasons that aren’t important now, and one evening, after dinner, I found myself in need of a walk and some separation.
Taking a meditative stroll on a quiet beach in that hour or two before sunset, when the towering white cumulus clouds over the ocean turn shades of pink and blue, is something many of us have done. You know that peace: the sounds of the breeze and the softly pounding surf and the distant and delighted squeals of children running through the saltwater shallows.
I carried with me a broomstick-sized stick I’d found discarded on the sand — just right for batting shells into the ocean, something I’d done as a child. So it was with that stick in hand that I stood alone on the shore, looking at the bulbous jelly, wondering how it had come to this spot.
Moments later I was joined by a man, probably in his 30s. He greeted me with a nod and bent to examine the animal. He then politely asked to borrow my stick, which he used to carefully turn the jellyfish over as he studied it closely. No other words were exchanged. Even dead, the jelly scared me, but this man’s curiosity was buoyant and intense. I felt like a witness to a detective investigating a crime scene.
After a few minutes, satisfied, the man did something I’m not sure would have occurred to me: he knelt and carefully cleaned the stick by wiping it in the moist sand, eliminating any traces of the jelly that might have clung to it. And then he handed it back to me like one would a knife, turning the handle portion toward me.
He said a soft “Thanks” and walked on.
I did as well, continuing on in the opposite direction.
At some point, as day transitioned into dusk, I turned back. The skies were turning ominous with darkening clouds, the kind we get during summer that bring lightning flashes but rarely rain. As I walked, still batting the occasional shell, I realized I had more company on the nearly deserted beach: four figures on the shoreline, noisily examining something.
My jellyfish.
They turned out to be a mix of the raucous and the reserved: two muscular, crew-cut young men accompanied by two very pretty — and very bewildered, like they’d realized they’d bitten off more than they could chew — young women.
One of the men reached toward me, palm open, expectantly. It was clear he wanted my stick, the same stick I’d been batting shells with for almost an hour, the same stick that the studious man I’d
encountered earlier had thoughtfully and respectfully used to examine the stranded gelatinous animal.
Reluctantly, I handed it to him. In an instant he began beating the jelly mercilessly, jumping up and down and pummeling the animal with the stick, striking it with the most forceful blows he could muster.
I felt sick to my stomach. The girls looked horrified.
Then the other man took his turn. In another minute or two, with the jellyfish now shredded, he grew bored. He stopped and without a word threw the stick back to me.
Girls in tow, they noisily continued up the beach, leaving me, my battered stick, and the remains of the jellyfish just standing there, right where we’d all been nearly an hour before, now in very different condition.
I walked back to our rented beach house.
I didn’t tell my dad or my sister about the experience, but I think about it from time to time. It was an unusual, and somewhat troubling, experience during an unusual, and somewhat troubling, summer. The striking juxtaposition and the contrast in those two encounters around the jellyfish were so heavy — like a lot of life’s unusual experiences, partly depressing and partly fascinating.
But mostly fascinating, if you avoid the fight.
Summers can be that way: a time for self-reflection and respite, but occasionally melancholic and sentimental all the same. The stories in this month’s issue of CityView, honoring the military, run the gamut of summer experiences.
We hope you’ll find something unique in each of them.
Bill Horner III is the executive editor of CityView. Contact him at bhorner@cityviewnc.com.
SOMEDAY YOU’LL THANK ME
Important lessons from summer vacation
BY MARY ZAHRAN
Now that July has arrived, bringing with it the dog days of summer, do you ever reminisce about bygone vacations? Something about the tropical weather and the long days makes many of us want to pause and remember summers past.
My first memory of going to the beach was when I was about four. My family would spend the last week of July at my grandparents’ cottage at Atlantic Beach, where we would spend our time swimming in the ocean and running up and down the sand dunes.
In the midst of all this activity, I managed to slip away one day and explore a large, sandy area close to the cottage. Being the curious child that I was, I began digging to see what I might discover. Instead of finding a treasure chest filled with gold or a map drawn by a pirate, I began pulling up spoons, cups, plates, and pots.
My mother showed up about this time, most likely having kept her eye on me while I was busy digging. She picked up a couple of pots and looked at them carefully. After studying them for a few minutes, she told me she thought they probably belonged to homeowners whose cottages had been destroyed when Hurricane Hazel came through Atlantic Beach a few years earlier in 1954.
grabbed my brother and ran all the way home. Almost breathless from running, Mom rushed into the bedroom. She unplugged the radio, threw it in the kitchen garbage can, and proceeded to interrogate me: “Why was the radio under the bed? Why didn’t you unplug it when it began smoking? Why would you listen to The Beatles when you could listen to Nat King Cole?”
For a long time after this incident, my sisters and I listened to the radio in the living room so that my mother could keep an eye on us to make sure we weren’t accidentally setting anything on fire or listening to The Beatles.
Upon hearing this, my overactive imagination took over. Was this the same storm that carried Dorothy from Kansas to Oz? If so, she managed to ride out the storm and land in a magical place. Some of the people at Atlantic Beach weren’t so lucky — they saw their cottages and everything in them blown away or buried in the sand. Somehow, that didn’t seem fair to me.
Several summers later, when I was about eight, I learned another important lesson. My mother had taken my baby brother for a swim at the park near our house, and my sisters and I were enjoying a rare morning of independence.
I was lying on my bedroom floor listening to the radio — that for some inexplicable reason was under the bed — when I smelled smoke. I immediately discovered that smoke was coming from the radio. In a state of panic, I turned the radio off (it didn’t occur to me to unplug it), ran outside, jumped on my bicycle, and headed for the park.
When I got to the park and told my mom what had happened, she
Four summers later, my mother inadvertently took us to a movie with adult themes. “The Graduate,” a satire starring Dustin Hoffman, was a big hit with moviegoers. My mother thought it would be the perfect film for us to see.
Driving downtown to the theater, my mother seemed excited to see a movie she had heard so much about. While we stood at the ticket booth, I noticed that the woman working in the booth gave my mom a strange look. She asked my mom how old we were, and when Mom listed our ages, the woman leaned forward and whispered that some of the scenes might be inappropriate for us. We went in anyway.
When the “inappropriate scenes” appeared, Mom stared straight ahead. I didn’t know what she was thinking, but I was pretty sure she wouldn’t be sharing her thoughts with us.
I learned some important lessons from my summer vacations: I learned that beautiful beaches can be hit by dangerous storms and that smoking radios should be unplugged.
My mother, too, learned some important lessons from one of my summer vacations: She learned when someone warns you about “inappropriate scenes” in a movie you should heed the warning. She also learned there may be something worse than listening to The Beatles.
Mary Zahran, who now listens to The Beatles and Nat King Cole, can be reached at maryzahran@ gmail.com.
FAMILY MATTERS
T(w)een-speak 101
BY CLAIRE MULLEN
I spent many years of my life learning the French language. At the school I attended, foreign language was offered as an elective beginning in middle school, and after introductory courses in basic Latin, Spanish, and French, students could choose to continue with either French or Spanish for the remainder of their academic years.
French came naturally to me, and over the course of four years of high school and an additional two years of college-level French, I eventually learned to speak and write the beautiful language relatively well.
But, the problem with a girl from eastern North Carolina walking around with six years of French language study under her belt and eager to practice her skills was that there weren’t exactly a lot of chance encounters with fellow Francophones in Carlie C’s IGA or Cross Creek Mall. Like any learned skill, if you don’t use it, you lose it.
And so, I became increasingly rusty and, now, some 19 years later, I can barely remember a word of the French that I spent so much time learning.
But as I have come to recently find out, all those years of acquiring new language skills were not for nothing. At almost 40, I’ve had to put those language-learning gears back into motion as a new way of speaking has begun to infiltrate my household.
The place of origin of this language is, if I had to guess, TikTok. Its native speakers are tweens and teens (and, incidentally, their younger siblings who seem to pick it up quite quickly). While my own two children are not on TikTok, they seem to have had no trouble acquiring some fundamental t(w)een-speak from their peers.
The language of which I speak, while technically spoken in English, might as well be foreign to us parents. It requires memorization, learning to put it into the correct context, and a thick skin for the theatrical eye-rolls and “Mooooooms” that ensue if you dare to try to put your limited knowledge of tween/teen slang into practice in the presence of native speakers.
Here’s my best effort at giving you a crash course on a few of the basic terms I have acquired from cohabiting with a tween.
First, there’s “rizz.” A shortened version of the word “charisma,” defined by Oxford University Press as “style, charm or attractiveness.” For example, a real-life application of “rizz”: “Mom, can I please get this new pair of Jordans? My old shoes have NO rizz!”
Then, there’s “bussin’.” An adjective that is used to describe something as “amazing” or “excellent.” My 7-year-old son has incorporated “bussin’” into his vernacular with phrases like, “Do we really have to have leftover meatloaf for dinner again?? I’m craving something more bussin’, like a Wendy’s Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger.”
In the event that you, at almost 40 years old, try to turn the tables on your offspring with, “Guys, come try this flax seed granola I made. It’s totally buss-ing!”, know that your kids will simultaneously laugh
like hyenas and blush with embarrassment while telling you that you CANNOT add a “g” on the end, that you have no rizz, and not to be “cringe” (a third tween favorite that means embarrassing and uncool).
Another slang term that gets thrown around a lot at my house is “sus,” short for “suspect” or “suspicious,” and is a young person’s way of dubbing a person or thing as untrustworthy. For instance, in reference to her little brother, my daughter might say, “Mom, can you please make him leave my room? He keeps sneaking in there and he knows where I’m hiding my Skittles. He is so sus!” A theoretical example, of course.
We’ve also learned “no cap,” t(w)een-speak for “no lie” or “for real.”
For instance:
“Did you brush your teeth?”
“Yes, Mom.”
“With toothpaste?”
“Yes, Mom. No cap!”
Or, “No cap, this Wendy’s Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger I talked you into is bussin’!”
And then there’s the term that’s strangely become both the bane of my existence and an odd term of endearment in our family. “Bruh.” I’ve come to realize that there’s no real rhyme or reason as to whom “bruh” should refer. Apparently, it’s basically applicable to anyone, in any situation. I’ve found myself both sternly replying, “I am NOT your bruh!” and, “Aw, I love you too, bruh.”
The list of today’s “Slang-lish” terms and phrases goes on, far exceeding my column’s word limit. If you want a basic working knowledge of what the kids are saying these days, you’ll need to brush up on words like “bet,” “hit the Griddy,” “gucci,” “buggin’,” “delulu,” “dap me up,” “doin’ too much,” “yeet,” “salty,” “slay,” “basic,” “built diffy,” “dog water,” “goated” (to name a select few), and I have a feeling the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is not the place to start.
Just look for anyone between the ages of 8 and 18. You can recognize them by their penchant for wearing white Crocs with high socks, athleisure that costs as much as my car payment, or baggy T-shirts featuring bands they’ve never heard of. They’ll likely be toting a Stanley or have a Venti Starbucks fruity drink in hand. They might be rocking AirPods in their ears while listening to absolutely nothing, or munching on a bag of Takis and guzzling a Prime energy drink like it’s the nectar of the gods.
Converse with these t(w)eens in their native tongue at your own risk. If you’re lucky, they just might think you have some serious rizz. But if we’re being honest, talking like that at our age is just, like, mad cringe, bruh.
Claire Mullen, who is not on TikTok, can be reached at clairejlmullen@gmail.com.
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PASSING ARMY RANGER SCHOOL
First Lt. Mackenzie Corcoran, former Fayetteville Academy student, embraces the challenge.
BY TERI SAYLOR | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHELLE BIR
1st. Lt. Mackenzie Corcoran applies camouflage paint to her face June 6 at Schofield Barracks in Oahu, Hawaii.
First Lt. Mackenzie Corcoran had already racked up a record of impressive accomplishments as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army when she considered enrolling in Ranger School and earning the coveted Ranger tab.
The physical and mental demands of Ranger School, a program designed to prepare soldiers to lead their troops on difficult missions, are notoriously grueling. Mackenzie never doubted her ability to persevere, but one requirement gave her a reason to pause. She had to shave her head.
“I just didn’t want to go through all that,” Mackenzie said. “But I was also interacting with infantry officers who are all rangers and they kept encouraging me to do it.”
She also believed she had something to prove. Not to her fellow soldiers, but to herself.
Mackenzie is a member of the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks on Oahu in Hawaii.
After graduating from William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, in May 2021, she was commissioned into the Army at the rank of second lieutenant and reported to Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri for the basic officer course as an engineer. After seven months, she went on to Schofield Barracks and began climbing the career ladder.
According to the U.S. Army, Ranger School is one of the military’s toughest training programs.
“For two months, Ranger students train to exhaustion, pushing the limits of their minds and bodies,” and learning the functional skills
needed “to engage in close combat and direct-fire battles,” reads an online description of the school.
In the end, she was up to the challenge.
“I’m a big proponent of doing hard things,” Mackenzie said. “I’ve learned that if I just try, I’ll be shocked at how much my body can do.”
So, she shaved off her long brown hair and put herself to the test.
Last winter, she traveled to Fort Benning in Georgia for Ranger School. It was worth every sacrifice and hardship.
Mackenzie’s quest to earn her Ranger tab is rare for female soldiers.
The training has been open to women for less than 10 years, and she says she was just one of over 100 women to graduate from Ranger School. She earned her Ranger tab last March.
A military family
Mackenzie, 25, grew up as an only child in a military family.
Her dad, Col. Joe Corcoran, is a decorated officer who serves as chief of staff for the U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training and is planning to retire this summer. Her mother, Jennifer Lynn Corcoran, has a doctorate in social work. They live in Williamsburg.
Born in Italy, Mackenzie moved around the United States with her family, living in five states over the course of her childhood, including North Carolina.
She says moving helped her gain self-confidence.
“I never liked leaving the places I knew, but moving around definitely taught me how to make friends and become more outgoing,”
Mackenzie goes over a 6-foot wall in an obstacle course on Schofield Barracks in Oahu, Hawaii
she said. “It also helped me adapt to change.”
She was an 8th grader in 2012 when her dad took a post at Fort Liberty and the family moved to Fayetteville. They lived here for three years. At Fayetteville Academy, she swam and ran track and cross country. Her favorite subject was chemistry. Growing up and joining the Army was not in her line of sight.
“I never wanted to be in the military, and my dad didn’t want me to join the Army out of concern over how I would be treated as a female,” she said.
In the end, Mackenzie’s mother was the parent who convinced her to try Army life, starting with applying for an ROTC scholarship to college during her senior year of high school. She enrolled in William & Mary, majoring in chemistry. The ROTC provided her first taste of what the military might be like. She grew to love it.
“ROTC is a smaller group of people at college that I could get close to and share the hardships of getting up earlier than the others and going to physical training,” she said. “The greatest aspect of the military is it offers diversity and allows you to become friends with people you might not have otherwise encountered in your life.”
Despite his earlier misgivings, Joe Corcoran is proud of his daughter for earning her Ranger tab.
“I had no doubt that physically and mentally she was going to be successful,” he said. “Army culture is male-dominated, but she did well with her peers, met all the requirements, and she’s earned her position.”
Path to ranger
Mackenzie’s path to Ranger School started with a Jungle Operations Training Course, spanning 12 days and consisting of mobility training, jungle tactics, combat tracking and other skills, and situational training. She passed with flying colors and earned her Jungle tab.
From there, she was on to the Sapper Leader Course, “a demanding 28-day leadership development course for combat engineers that reinforces critical skills and teaches advanced techniques needed across the Army,” according to the U.S. Army website.
After earning her Sapper tab, Mackenzie found herself at a crossroads and unsure of advancing into the grueling Ranger course.
Going through Ranger [School] felt like getting thrown into the deep end of a pool. You can prepare for it physically, but I don’t think you’ll ever be mentally prepared for actually going through it.
— Mackenzie Corcoran
I believe a big part of why I went to Ranger School was to show other women what they can achieve. I always say that I’m an officer in the Army who happens to be a female rather than a female officer in the Army.
Mackenzie walks through south range of Schofield Barracks in Oahu, Hawaii, June 6.
But she also felt her career was at stake.
“A lot of officers go to Ranger School because they want to further their career in the Army,” she said. “Without the Ranger tab, you are stuck in the middle, and to advance you need to show you can push yourself to your physical limits and still be a strong leader.”
The U.S. Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment’s website tells the story of the Ranger Course and describes the series of rigorous tests soldiers must complete to earn their Ranger tab.
The Army created the Ranger Course during the Korean War, and it “was known as the Ranger Training Command,” according to the U.S. Army. In 1951, it “became the Ranger Department, a branch of the Infantry School” at Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning), Georgia. “Its purpose was, and still is, to develop combat skills of selected officers and enlisted men,” the U.S. Army website reads.
The 61-day course is divided into three phases: the Benning Phase at Fort Moore, the Mountain Phase at Camp Frank D. Merrill in north Georgia, and the Florida Phase at Eglin Air Force Base.
The Benning phase assesses “a soldier’s physical stamina, mental toughness,” and puts in place the tactical requirements for the other phases of Ranger School, according to the U.S. Army. It is divided into two parts: Ranger Assessment Phase, aka “RAP Week” and Darby, a patrolling phase.
The 21-day Benning phase is grueling; only 50% of Ranger students finish, according to Army estimates. Mackenzie says the first week will make or break a prospective Ranger.
“If you make it through RAP week, there’s basically an 80% chance you’re going to graduate from the course, one way or another,” she said.
Passing RAP requires a minimum of “49 push-ups, 59 sit-ups, a 5-mile run in 40 minutes” or less, “and six chin-ups,” according to the U.S. Army website. Included on the grueling list are a combat water survival assessment, “a night and day land navigation test,” and “a 2.1-mile two-man buddy run in Army combat uniform.” Students also confront the dreaded Malvesti obstacle course and complete a 12-mile foot march without water, while carrying an average load of 35 pounds.
The Darby phase includes the infamous Darby Queen obstacle course, “consisting of 20 obstacles stretched over one mile of uneven hilly terrain.” This phase ends with a series of patrols in a fast-paced, highly stressful, and challenging field exercise.
Students who make it through Benning will move on to the last two phases designed to develop and test a soldier’s ability to command and control platoons patrolling in adverse conditions including hunger, mental and physical fatigue, and stress.
“Going through Ranger [School] felt like getting
Mackenzie wears the Ranger, Sapper, and Jungle tabs she earned. Below the tabs is her 25th Infantry Division patch.
Mackenzie has been given a variety of coins by her company, battalion, and the 25th Infantry Division Coins are given to soldiers during different points from different people through their careers
thrown into the deep end of a pool,” Mackenzie said. “You can prepare for it physically, but I don’t think you’ll ever be mentally prepared for actually going through it.”
For Mackenzie, hunger, sleep deprivation, and withstanding the elements outdoors became both a way of life and the most challenging aspects of her military journey so far.
“We were getting two meals a day and four hours of sleep at the most,” she said. “The point of Ranger School is to learn what kind of leader we are when we’re at our worst.”
Psychologically it was challenging, too.
“We’re left standing out in the cold for hours with no one to talk to and left alone with our thoughts,” she said. “It tests our mental toughness and intestinal fortitude to not quit, rather to focus on why we are there and going through it.”
Tough enough
Mackenzie’s dad never doubted she could hold up under the pressure.
“Growing up, she was a curious and inquisitive child, and someone who was very much into sports and outdoor activities,” Joe Corcoran said. “When we were stationed at
Fort Liberty, we would drive past obstacle courses, and she wanted to get out there and go through them.”
In the end, Mackenzie embraced the hard work, long hours, and sensory deprivation for the chance to experience the adventures the Army is giving her.
In May 2023, Mackenzie was part of the 29th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team that received the Society of American Military Engineers’ LTG Emerson C. Itschner award for most outstanding engineer company.
The company had “participated in Operation Pathway exercises in Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei,” according to an article by 1st Lt. Jordan Balzano. Mackenzie was the engineer reconnaissance platoon leader in that effort.
“I just want to do cool things I never would have been able to do outside the Army,” she said. “Like go to Malaysia and Brunei, jump out of airplanes, traverse the jungle, and get paid for it.”
She also wants to pay it forward and serve as an inspiration to other women to enter the military and do hard things, like Erin O’Hara, a college friend who also graduated from Ranger School.
“I thought if Erin can do it, then I can do
it too, and I believe a big part of why I went to Ranger School was to show other women what they can achieve,” she said. “I always say that I’m an officer in the Army who happens to be a female rather than a female officer in the Army.”
She also feels her military career has brought her closer to her parents and she hopes to relocate near them soon. Some soldiers who have their Ranger tabs take the next step on their career ladder and apply to the 75th Ranger Regiment, the Army’s “premier raid force,” according to its website. The Regiment requires an “intensive screening and selection process followed by combat-focused training.”
Mackenzie is still evaluating the many options she has for furthering her military career, and even if she chooses a different path, her father is proud of her.
Joe Corcoran acknowledges his daughter has already bypassed his own level of courage and ambition and sees power in her willingness to take on challenges that test the limits of any human being.
“While I believe I have self-confidence, Mackenzie has a lot more,” he says. “I hope she continues to build a pathway and chart a career that meets her expectations, and she enjoys her life in the Army.”
Mackenzie climbs a caving ladder at Schofield Barracks in Oahu, Hawaii.
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A distinctive melody
How an all-male chorus group made of veterans and ministers has influenced people from New York to Panama through music, friendship, and faith
BY ALLISON UNDERWOOD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SABREENA CZARNECKI
The year was 1997 and Rev. Bernard Hayes felt a calling within him to grow in ministry, but he wasn’t quite sure where to begin. He decided to break away from his home church, Savannah Missionary Baptist Church, and explore other forms of ministry in Fayetteville.
Hayes was led to attend Division Memorial Chapel on Fort Liberty, a church where his sister was a musician on the praise team. After attending a few Sunday services at Division Memorial Chapel, Hayes felt that same calling again and presented an idea to the chaplain.
“I talked to him about starting a male chorus and he gave [me] permission,” Hayes said. Advertisements for the new group, Division South Male Chorus, were dispersed throughout the military base and beyond, and weekly rehearsals started right away as soldiers and other curious men began to join the group.
Nearly 27 years and hundreds of performances later, four of the current 12 members, both original and new, sit together in Hayes’ office at Pleasant Grove Church of Christ off North Eastern Boulevard. The group’s camaraderie exudes from every inch of the wood-paneled office — their years of friendship evident through the squeaks of their chairs as they keel over with laughter.
Member Michael Davis said it was the humility of the group that
Division South Male Chorus continued to grow and flourish, later becoming Wood Memorial Male Chorus. After being gifted a bus by their friend, Chaplain Sonny Moore, the chorus group’s dream of becoming a traveling ministry came true.
From Syracuse, New York, to Saint Kitts in the Caribbean, the chorus group blessed the ears of many up and down the east coast and afar.
Along their travels, their distinctive melody stood out to one woman in particular.
“We were in West Virginia and a lady heard the group sing and she said, ‘Y’all need to call yourselves The Voices of Distinction,’” Hayes explained, as the group smiled, reminiscing. Heeding her advice, the group renamed itself “The Voices of Distinction” in 2006.
Moments like that and many others made their ministry worth it, the group explained. From religious services where more than 20 soldiers gave their lives to Christ to retirement parties for chaplains, The Voices of Distinction have done it all. All while asking for nothing in return but friendship and fellowship.
“We pray that those who need it, see that light and see it in us and think, ‘What must I do to be a part of that?’” Grant said.
We pray that those who need it, see that light and see it in us and think, ‘What must I do to be a part of that?’
— Rev. Eric Grant
piqued his interest. Having just retired as command sergeant major from the U.S. Army after serving in Iraq and moving to Fayetteville, Davis saw the group perform in 2005 at First Baptist Church and knew he wanted to join.
“Ever since I’ve been saved I have always sung in the male chorus … ,” Davis said. “And once I saw that they were not up to just show and just trying to put on an act, I said ‘I want to be a part of that.’”
Retired Sgt. 1st Class and Rev. Eric Grant, associate minister at Wood Memorial Chapel, said it was the vocal talent of the Division South Male Chorus that intrigued him.
But original member Rev. and former Sgt. Curtis Townsend, associate minister at Pleasant Grove Church of Christ, said he never intended to join the group, claiming, “my ex-wife signed me up.” Townsend said he tended to be more introverted and was wary of joining the group.
So he was a little startled to receive a phone call back in 1997, informing him of Division South Male Chorus’ upcoming rehearsal, saying, “I actually went to rehearsal and stood in the back for a long time.” But seeing the fellowship and union among the group is what kept him coming.
Hayes explained that the internal transformation of the group’s members ultimately leads to the transformation of others.
“The individual leads to the collective, which then draws the masses,” Townsend elaborated.
And it’s not only the music and performances that The Voices of Distinction use to showcase their servant hearts.
“We’ve been a moving company, we’ve been pallbearers, hurricane relief — you name it,” Townsend said. Although they’ve never asked for financial assistance, group members say it’s the “love offerings” — monetary donations to the ministry — they receive that have made their giving back to the community possible.
Through nearly three decades of ministry and over 100 members in total, that mission has remained the same, Hayes said. From coast to coast, as members deploy and move, Grant said he believes it’s that mission that keeps them all so connected.
“We go somewhere, but we come right back and we’re right here waiting,” Grant said.
The group said they’ve also been fortunate to be recognized for that mission through surprise donations and awards. In 2008, The Voices of Distinction won the Shirley Caesar Music Outreach award for their
Retired Master Sgt. James Carr
Retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Cleveland Simmons
Retired Sgt. 1st Class Michael Lesure
Former Sgt. Curtis Townsend
Retired Sgt. 1st Class Eric Grant Sr.
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Davis
community work while attending the Lamplighter Awards held by “The Light 103.9” radio station, a gospel station in the Triangle area.
While performing at the retirement celebration of Maj. Gen. David Hicks in 2007, the members of The Voices of Distinction were shocked to each receive a Coin of Excellence after their performance. The next day, another surprise showed up on their doorstep.
“We also received a new keyboard because he [Maj. Gen. Hicks] saw us and saw that that was what we needed,” said Davis.
From the stage to the frontlines, The Voices of Distinction have carried the responsibility of compassion and humanitarianism for their community through it all.
But they haven’t forgotten to have some fun along the way.
“When we get on the bus to go on a trip somewhere, half the time when we get there … we can’t sing because we’ve laughed the whole way there,” Townsend said.
“Curtis’ fault,” Grant chimed in, jokingly pointing at Townsend as the group joined in with laughter.
“Yeah, they’re right. But it’s all about showing that unity [to others],” Townsend explained.
When that camaraderie can’t shine through their actions, they hope that it does through the music they showcase, both original and classic.
After years of performing covers of gospel music, the group felt it was time for them to start creating their own music to stand out from the masses. The group got to work writing their original songs while using local musicians, from drummers and guitarists to keyboard
players and bassists, many of whom still play with them today.
“There are many great groups in this area, and I believe in order to distinguish yourself, you have to have your own material,” Hayes explained.
And distinguish themselves, they did. While tracking the radio plays of their first album, the group found that each song had been played at least once somewhere in the country. One station, they remember, played their songs every single day for the first few months after the album was released.
But they say the moment they first heard their music on the radio will always stand out to them.
“We were going to his mother’s funeral,” said Townsend, pointing to Grant. “We were driving in the car and our song started to play and I said, ‘Huh, that sounds like us.’”
The group erupted in laughter.
They were pleasantly surprised to realize it was their original song, “Bless the Lord,” flowing through the speakers of their car, jumping for joy on a day that otherwise would have been filled with grief.
This is a prime example of why The Voices of Distinction do what they do. To illustrate and exude the joy they experience from ministry to those who hear their music, from the Pacific to the Atlantic, from New York to St. Kitts.
The group said they hope to produce a third album soon, inspiration already coursing through their fingertips. But Grant said they trust that when the time comes, they will know.
“The Lord will give it to us when we’re ready,” Grant said.
IN MEMORIAM
D-Day 80th anniversary
Though World War II veteran Col. Eldon “Sam” Kitchen passed away just a month before the 80th anniversary of D-Day landings, a friend and veteran commemorated the event on his behalf.
BY ARIA SPEARS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHARI WELLS
In 1943, he finally convinced his parents to let him enlist in the World War II military effort.
Like many parents at the time, Eldon “Sam” Kitchen’s mother and stepfather struggled with the idea of him enlisting, especially as a high school student. They eventually agreed, and 16-year-old Kitchen would soon enlist, complete bootcamp, and arrive on the war front.
Decades later, long-time Fayetteville resident and retired U.S. Army Col. Kitchen, was invited as an honoree to attend the 80th anniversary of the World War II D-Day landings and liberation of Europe in Normandy, France, on June 6, 2024.
However, on May 5, Kitchen, 98, passed away. His friend and fellow veteran, retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Richard “Dale” Cremisio, attended in his stead.
The end of an era
The 80th anniversary commemorative event was held at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, on the shores of Omaha Beach, with speeches by French President Emmanuel Macron, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and U.S. President Joe Biden. The American Battle Monuments
Commission estimates that “approximately 10,000 people attended the ceremony.”
According to a report on the historical context of D-Day by the American Battle Monuments Commission, “at dawn on June 6, 1944, a fleet of 4,266 transport vessels and 722 warships protected by over 10,000 airplanes approached the coast of Normandy. Spread out across a 22-mile-long front, this convoy was transporting 130,000 men. … [The campaign] ended between Aug. 19 and Aug. 29, 1944. Paris was liberated on Aug. 25, 1944.”
Though the event took place at the D-Day landing site, according to the American Battle Monuments Commission, the anniversary event commemorated “all who were part of the Allied landings.”
The cemetery holds a commemorative event every year, but this anniversary in particular was historically significant. Patrick Russell is an oral historian, lawyer, and founder of the Making History Project, a nonprofit dedicated to collecting oral histories of veterans. Russell, who attended the D-Day event, noted that due to the advanced age of WWII veterans who are between 98 and 100 years old, this anniversary will likely be the last with WWII veterans in attendance.
Retired Lt Col Dale Cremisio was supposed to escort WWII veteran Col Sam Kitchen to Normandy, France, for the 80th anniversary of D-Day Kitchen passed away before the two could take their trip together Cremisio made the journey to honor Kitchen
A reenactor dressed in U.S. military garb walks through the American Cemetery in Normandy, France.
Instead of simply thinking about historical events in a vacuum as a collection of dates and places, through oral history, you can be on the ground and hear what it looked and felt like to be there.
— Patrick Russell
The enduring fraternity of service
Richard “Dale” Cremisio attended the anniversary in memory of Kitchen, alongside a group of other veterans funded by nonprofit organization, Veterans Back to Normandy. This organization funds trips to honor WWII veterans on visits to Normandy, France.
Cremisio had met and befriended Kitchen over years of attending the annual 82nd Airborne Convention.
“All those years, I thought, ‘I’m not worthy [to speak to the WWII veterans]. But then we said, the hell with it,” Cremisio said of himself and his fellow veterans from the 82nd Airborne Division. “We went over and asked them, ‘What was your career like?’”
Eventually, Kitchen and Cremisio began speaking by phone every few days and Cremisio would make the drive from his home in Blacksburg, South Carolina, to Fayetteville to visit Kitchen about every other week. During these visits, Cremisio slowly learned more about Kitchen’s military service.
Holding space
According to his obituary, Kitchen, “served with U.S. Marines and the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division where he fought in the WWII, Korean and Vietnam wars,” and “received numerous awards and medals including Master Parachute, Master Aviator, the Distinguished Flying Cross, 8 Air Medals, Bronze Star and Purple Heart.”
In an oral history interview conducted with Russell of the Making History Project, Kitchen recounted the challenges and dangers he faced while on the war front such as near-death encounters and long, dangerous nights in Okinawa, Japan.
Russell said by holding space for remembrance of veterans’ lives and experiences through events like the 80th D-Day anniversary and oral histories, citizens honor their sacrifice both in wartime and years later.
Retired Lt Col Dale Cremisio salutes the National Anthem during the All American Week Division Pass and Review
Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, remains true to the hearts of the French people who thank the Allied troops for the liberation of France
In memoriam of Kitchen
The anniversary event featured a remembrance ceremony for Kitchen, where Cremisio distributed portraits of Kitchen and customized challenge coins, a military tradition in which one receives a coin in honor of acts of service or valor. At the request of Kitchen’s family, Cremisio also brought Kitchen’s paratrooper parachute cord bracelet to the ceremony as a symbolic gesture. Cremisio considered it an honor to attend the event on behalf of his friend.
At Kitchen’s passing, most didn’t know his name wasn’t actually Sam, Cremisio said. Kitchen assumed the nickname “Sam” as his call sign in flight school early in his decadeslong military career spanning 1943 to 1977. “Sam” was short for “Sam Catchem,” after the Dick Tracy 1930s comic strip sidekick. The nickname stuck.
Crowds gathered during the celebration parade at Sainte-Mère-Église, France, closing out the 80th anniversary of D-Day festivities.
The Iron Mike Statue at La Fière, Sainte-Mère-Église, France, though much smaller than the two statues on Fort Liberty and in front of the U S Army Airborne and
Retired Lt. Col. Dale Cremisio poses for a photo with the makeshift memorial he made during a small service on Utah Beach in Normandy, France. Photo contributed by Dale Cremisio.
Kitchen’s long-held military nickname illuminated his commitment to military service throughout his life to his recent passing in May.
Cremisio said Kitchen was often the most “tight-lipped” of the 82nd Airborne WWII veterans who would frequent conventions. At least one member of Kitchen’s family agreed with this assessment.
“He was all-military,” said Denise Hall, Kitchen’s stepdaughter and a Fayetteville resident. “But I don’t think any of his children knew the depth of the medals he had. We all knew he was in the three wars, we knew he flew a helicopter, but that’s about it.”
Historical legacies
Kitchen was not alone in his silent approach to the subject of his military service. It can be hard for veterans of any era to discuss the challenges and complexities of their experiences. Oral history interviews such as those conducted by Russell can provide a space more neutral or comfortable for veterans to share their memories. As more and more WWII veterans approach centenarian status, these passed-down experiences in the form of oral histories become even more critical.
“The oral histories of WWII soldiers are important for people to engage with as they humanize history and make it real,” Russell said. “Instead of simply thinking about historical events in a vacuum as a collection of dates and places, through oral history, you can be on the ground and hear what it looked and felt like to be there.”
Though many will never know what it looks and feels like to be on a war front, the impact of those who do offers an important link to our nation’s history. The 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings illuminates the ways in which those who fought and supported the war effort in WWII made sacrifices on behalf of something much larger than themselves.
When Kitchen raised his hand to swear into the U.S. military at 16 years old in 1943, he had no idea what the outcome would be, either for himself or the war at large.
But his service and personal sacrifice helped establish the foundation for a future that would far outlast him. And his story, alongside those of veterans after him, encourages each generation to live in honor of that legacy.
Stay in the Swing of Summer Savings
Follow the Season’s Time-of-Use Schedule
PWC’s Time-of-Use billing for electricity follows the summer schedule through October 31, with Summer Peak Hours during the afternoon-evening on weekdays from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm. To save big on your energy bills:
• Conserve all the power you can during Peak Hours.
• Adjust your routine to do things like laundry, running your dishwasher, etc. during Off-Peak Hours, when electricity is billed at 35% lower rates.
• Keep your air conditioning at the highest comfortable temperature. To take full advantage of Time-of-Use rates, add a programmable smart thermostat to automatically control your A/C. Remember, on weekends and PWC-observed holidays, all day is Off-Peak.
For conservation tips and information on PWC incentive programs – including an $80 bill credit for installing an Energy Star® smart thermostat – visit our website.
Retired Lt. Col. Dale Cremisio, right, and Tony Davis pose for a photo with late Col. Sam Kitchen’s photo and memorial plaque. Davis is the artist of the plaque. Cremisio presented the plaque in Kitchen’s honor to the host family in Normandy, France.
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HIGH RISK BREAST CLINIC
New high-risk breast cancer center eases fears by providing early monitoring, comprehensive care, and support.
BY JAMI MCLAUGHLIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY WOOTEN
When Stephanie McLaurin was confronted with the likelihood that cancer could be in her future, she took matters into her own hands to reduce her risk.
“I was told that you are considered at high risk for breast cancer if your mother was diagnosed with it,” Stephanie said. “My mom had a lumpectomy at age 32 and had two more suspicious lumps removed after that.”
With that knowledge, Stephanie, 46, who grew up in Hope Mills, began mammograms at 32, earlier than the average age of 40 recommended by the Mayo Clinic.
After some other health issues in 2021 and due to her cancer risk, she was referred to the Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center where she heard about Dr. Elizabeth Sawyer, a breast oncology surgeon and the medical director of the Breast Care Center at Cape Fear Valley Health and the new High Risk Breast Clinic.
Dr. Sawyer introduced Stephanie to Hunter Hutson, the manager of the High Risk Breast Clinic and a physician assistant, who immediately outlined Stephanie’s options based on her family history and a monitoring plan for annual screenings.
“Besides regular breast exams, Hunter has created a plan to keep a close eye on me,” Stephanie said. “Her treatment plan has given me an alternative to taking medication or having surgery.”
Given her family’s cancer history — her father suffered from both kidney and brain cancer — Stephanie began alternating MRIs with her annual mammograms, reviewing the results each time with Hunter.
“My mom’s [breast] cancer could not be seen on a mammogram and thankfully it was caught early by an MRI,” Stephanie said.
Stephanie says she is grateful to have been led to the clinic and have the option to be consistently monitored and not need medication or major surgery.
“Early detection is so important and I’m thankful I’m in great hands,” Stephanie said.
Hunter said that patients like Stephanie are exactly why the new high-risk breast cancer clinic was established.
“It addresses a critical need in our community,” Hunter said. “With advancements in genetic testing and risk assessment, more women are becoming aware of their increased risk of breast cancer due to factors such as family history, genetic mutations, or personal health history.”
The specialized center is dedicated to providing comprehensive care and support tailored to the unique needs of high-risk individuals.
“Our center aims to offer a multidisciplinary approach that
combines the expertise of breast oncology surgeons, radiologists, genetic counselors, and other health care professionals,” Hunter said.
The center provides personalized risk assessment, genetic testing, screening, surveillance, and risk-reduction strategies to empower women with knowledge and proactive management options.
“By centralizing high-risk breast care services, we streamline access to specialized care, facilitate early detection, and ultimately improve outcomes for women at increased risk of breast cancer,” Hunter said.
Although not all breast changes are an indication of cancer, there are warning signs, Hunter said. They include:
• A lump or mass in the breast or underarm area
• Changes in the size, shape, or appearance of the breast
• Skin changes such as redness, dimpling, or puckering
• Nipple changes, including inversion, discharge, or scaling
• Persistent breast or nipple pain
“Any concerning symptoms should be promptly evaluated by a health care professional,” Hunter said. “And any family history can increase the risk of developing breast cancer.”
In Stephanie’s case, she had a first-degree relative, defined as a parent, sibling, or child, which put her at higher risk. Other risks include having multiple family members with breast or ovarian cancer, especially at a young age, which further elevates the risk.
“However, it’s essential to remember that having a family history doesn’t guarantee someone will develop breast cancer, and conversely, many women with breast cancer have no family history of the disease,” Hunter said.
She suggests women, whether high risk or not, include at-home breast exams as a part of a regular routine to become familiar with the normal look and feel of their breasts.
“While they may detect some lumps or changes, they are not foolproof for detecting all breast cancers,” Hunter said, while adding that research suggests that clinical breast exams, performed by a medical provider, and mammograms are more effective in detecting breast cancer.
“Annual mammograms are recommended for women starting at age 40, or earlier for those with a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors,” he said. “Mammograms are crucial for detecting breast cancer early when it’s most treatable.”
But, she said, regular at-home exams help empower women to notice changes and seek medical attention promptly when there’s a sign of a potential problem.
(Left) Hunter Hutson, PA-C , and Stephanie McLaurin pose for a portrait outside Village Surgical Associates in Fayetteville
Regular screening mammograms can significantly reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer by detecting it in its earliest stages.
— Hunter Hutson
“A medical professional can identify abnormalities such as lumps or calcifications that may indicate cancerous growths,” Hunter said. “Regular screening mammograms can significantly reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer by detecting it in its earliest stages.”
If a patient is established as high risk for breast cancer, she said the first step is genetic testing to determine any mutations in genes that could increase a lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. The second route is to use a risk assessment calculator model, which uses a patient’s personal and family history to determine lifetime risk.
“Screening recommendations may be tailored based on individual risk factors and genetic test results,” Hunter said. “High-risk individuals require more frequent and intensive screening for breast cancer than the general population. This typically includes a combination of breast imaging tests such as mammograms as well as breast MRI.”
It is also helpful, she said, to include lifestyle modifications such as remaining at a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and limiting alcohol consumption.
Other strategies for high-risk patients include chemoprevention — using medications such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors to reduce breast cancer risk — and risk-reducing surgeries such as prophylactic mastectomy or oophorectomy.
Hunter said that being able to educate and empower patients about their breast health, risk factors, available screening, and prevention strategies is a part of the job that brings her a lot of satisfaction.
“My favorite part about being a highrisk breast clinic physician assistant and working with patients is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in their lives during what can be a vulnerable and challenging time,” Hunter said.
This is, after all, her dream job, Hunter said, which began after she graduated with a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from the University of Mary Hardin at Baylor in Texas, and was introduced to breast cancer care.
“There were such great relationships and bonds between the provider and patient,” Hunter said. “I knew it was where I wanted to work.”
And when her fiance, Tyler, received orders to be stationed at Fort Liberty, the stars aligned for her at Cape Fear Valley Health when a fellow physician assistant in Texas told Hunter about Dr. Sawyer.
“I was on the phone with her the next day,” Hunter said. “She told me that my resume had fallen from the sky and it was meant to be.”
A physician assistant position had just opened for the new High Risk Breast Clinic and Keri Terry, the director of surgical services, was hiring.
“I never thought I’d be able to start in my dream specialty,” Hunter said.
Knowing she plays a role in improving the quality of life and outcomes for her patients brings her great fulfillment and reinforces her passion for service, she said.
“Being able to witness the resilience and strength of patients as they navigate their journey is incredibly inspiring,” Hunter said. “I love being able to help patients make informed decisions about their care and actively participate in their treatment plans.”
It is that active and open communication that helps patients like Stephanie feel at ease.
Stephanie said her priorities these days are spending time with her husband Ryan and daughters Hannah and Rylan, working at My Orthodontist — known to most as Stout & Booth Orthodontics — and attending Jesus First Church. Her priority is not worrying about breast cancer, Stephanie said.
“My 15-year-old daughter keeps me busy with dance, cheer, and school,” Stephanie said. “We do a lot of traveling with her competitive dance team.”
Meanwhile, she’s screened regularly.
“Working with Dr. Sawyer and Hunter has given me peace of mind,” Stephanie said. “They are very knowledgeable and anyone who sees them is in great hands.”
Hunter said the clinic is where she is meant to be and where she can offer compassion, empathy, and encouragement to each patient who comes into her office.
“It reinforces my commitment to providing compassionate care and advocacy for each individual under my care,” Hunter said.
The High Risk Breast Clinic is located at Cape Fear Valley Health General Surgery Village Surgical at 1841 Quiet Cove in Fayetteville and can be reached at 910-3232626.
VIM welcomes new associate Dr. Fadi Deeb. Dr. Deeb will begin seeing patients
Sathy Viswanath, MD Wikrom Chaiwatcharayut, MD Toni D. Meeks, MD
WELCOME NEIGHBOR DAY
In 1941, Fayetteville welcomed a huge influx of soldiers at Fort Bragg, now Fort Liberty, with the "biggest party ever on record in North Carolina," according to the News & Observer.
BY REGGIE BARTON
Stories of calamities that threaten a social occasion are not hard to find: a hurricane arrives the day of a long-planned oyster roast; a new bride invites in-laws for dinner and the souffle doesn’t rise; a huge crowd is invited for a cocktail party and the caterer doesn’t show. But these are small potatoes compared to the upheaval that threatened “Welcome Neighbor Day” — a celebration where, per the News and Observer, “Fayetteville … extended itself beyond anything that any town in North Carolina has ever undertaken before.”
The year was 1941 and the place was Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty). The Defense Preparation Program had embarked on an extremely ambitious build-up of military preparedness due to the expected entry of the United States into World War II, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engine Research and Development Center. In January of that year, troops at Fort Bragg numbered around 20,000. Only six months later, as a result of the build-up, that number swelled to around 67,000. Fort Bragg had become the largest single encampment of soldiers in the U.S.; if an incorporated municipality, it would have been the third largest city in North Carolina.
Fayetteville had a population of around 17,000 in the 1940 census, according to the N&O. By the summer of 1941, that figure had mushroomed to around 35,000. Such explosive growth created daunting challenges for the city: providing adequate housing, utilities, and general goods and services for an immensely expanded citizenry. The community also felt that it should liberally provide hospitality and morale support for the troops. Amid all of this, most all of Bragg’s troops were sent on maneuvers for 10 weeks in 1941; and, per the N&O, Fayetteville was “put on its mettle by reports … of the fervor” of the hospitality extended to the troops in the maneuver area. Fayetteville’s ambitious response was Welcome Neighbor Day, planned for Dec. 10, 1941.
A steering committee, headed by Fayetteville Mayor J. Scott McFadyen Sr., was assembled to plan the festivities. On the committee were some of the city’s most prominent citizens: D. L. McLaurin, J. M. Wilson, Thomas W. Rankin, Hector M. McKethan, Oscar Breece, George W. Tinnin, John A. Oates, Joseph Huske, Thomas A. DeVane, Sally Tomlinson, Margaret Huske DeRosset, Thomas Sutton, Hector Blackwell, Dr. S. L. Elfmon, Robert E. Nimocks, Dr. J. W. Seabrook, and others, according to the N&O. In addition, many civic groups in the city joined in the effort.
Plans quickly fell into place, and approval for the event was granted by a unanimous vote of the city’s Board of Aldermen on Nov. 20, according to the Charlotte Observer. The committee initially worked
with a budget of about $2,000, with the aldermen pitching in $1,000 of that amount. As plans expanded, however, the budget later was estimated to have ballooned to $30,000, according to the N&O. Contributions to cover expenses were solicited from the public, and the community responded generously: Mayor McFadyen, in one news report from the Charlotte News, stated that raising the needed funds was “a mighty easy job.”
Why the budget expanded is easily understood when one learns what comprised the final plans for Welcome Neighbor Day. The festival was to be held downtown on streets radiating out from the Market House. Side streets would be closed off to provide access and staging areas for the day’s activities. In those days of racial segregation, a duplicate celebration for 4,000 Black soldiers was to be held at and around Fayetteville State Teachers College (now Fayetteville State University), according to the Winston-Salem Journal. Dr. J. W. Seabrook, president of the College, spearheaded the planning for that part of the celebration.
A major component of the plans for the day was food, and a lot of it. After all, the guest list included 20,000 soldiers! Area newspapers reported that the committee ordered “15,000 pounds of” barbecue, around 12,000 pounds of bread, “12,000 pounds of chicken, … 10,800 pounds of cabbage, 48,000 bottles of soft drinks,” as well as other items for “trimmings.” Meals were to be prepared from field kitchens, and from there delivered to “1,245 feet of tables” strung along the downtown streets. Around “3,000 cakes and pies” were to be baked and supplied by local citizens.
Following the meal, a parade was planned, along with speeches delivered from the west balcony of the Market House by Gov. J. Melville Broughton of North Carolina and Gov. E. J. Haley of South Carolina, as well as by several military officials. Broughton also was to make remarks at the State Teachers College venue along with Dr. Seabrook, according to the N&O. Capping off the day‘s events would be an evening street dance with different bands playing on designated blocks of Hay and Person streets: Duke University Band, Fayetteville High School Band, and two U.S. Army bands, according to the Winston-Salem Journal.
Few details were left unaddressed. For security purposes, 250 extra police personnel were hired for the day, according to The Robesonian. And publicity abounded: the Durham Herald-Sun, Charlotte Observer, as well as newspapers in High Point, Salisbury, Rocky Mount and others, all gave laudatory coverage to the upcoming event. Even the N&O joined in the enthusiasm.
If Welcome Neighbor Day with 20,000 soldier guests can go on as planned two days after a World War clouds the skies, then certainly you can find a way to have your show go on.
Raeford and Lumberton newspapers reported that special invitations to the festival had been issued to many of Fayetteville’s neighboring towns. In particular, young ladies of these communities were encouraged to attend — after all, 20,000 soldiers would be hoping for partners for the street dance. The Robesonian reported that a special committee would decide what young ladies would be invited from the Lumberton area. The Raeford News-Journal listed chaperones who would accompany young ladies from that area who attended. And the Herald-Sun stated that women from 13 towns of the region would attend as chaperones.
The Fayetteville/Cumberland County community rallied impressively around the effort with few if any stumbling blocks; excitement mounted as Dec. 10 approached. But events beyond calamity interceded: the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and America’s entry into WWII on Dec. 8, 1941. Amid all the tumult and concern nationwide, there was a pressing decision to be made locally: proceed with Welcome Neighbor Day or cancel? Would the formidable outpouring of time, effort, money, and enthusiasm of the community come to naught? What about the 15,000 pounds of barbecue, 12,000 pounds of chicken, 10,800 pounds of cabbage, etc., on hand? Mayor McFadyen telephoned the appropriate authorities at Fort Bragg for a decision. He was given assurance that all the soldiers would indeed be in attendance as planned. As the N&O observed in an article dated Dec. 9: “The party will probably work something of a miracle in clearing the minds of everybody of the fearful dread that has lain like a pall of clouds above the community since Sunday afternoon.” The show went on — nothing was for naught.
Newspaper articles across the state uniformly praised the party as a resounding success. But more meaningful was the review of one Fort Bragg official. The day after the celebration, as Mayor McFadyen sat in his City Hall office overlooking Bow Street, he observed the arrival of several military vehicles. Shortly thereafter, Col. John T. Kennedy, then commander of Fort Bragg, was escorted into the Mayor’s office. After cordial greetings, Kennedy confessed that when plans for Welcome Neighbor Day were first presented to him, he thought the organizers were “damn fools” to undertake something so ambitious, believing the community would never be able to pull it off. But, he admitted, he was wrong — the event was planned and executed in spectacular fashion, he apologized for his prior thoughts, and he expressed his deep appreciation to the community. With Welcome Neighbor Day, Fayetteville had indeed proved its mettle, had shown supreme hospitality, and had made the soldiers feel more appreciated — more welcome — in Fayetteville.
Don’t let misfortune spoil an event you’re hosting — if Welcome Neighbor Day with 20,000 soldier guests can go on as planned two days after a World War clouds the skies, then certainly you can find a way to have your show go on.
Reggie Barton is a native of Fayetteville. He is a graduate of Davidson College and UNC-Chapel Hill Law School. He practiced law and was very civically involved in Fayetteville for a number of years. For the past 30 years he has lived in New York City, where he has practiced law and pursued acting. In recent years, he has enjoyed writing. The premiere of his first play “Bridge” was produced this year by the Belmont Theatre in York, Pennsylvania.
Welcome Neighbor Day brought out over 20,000 people to Hay Street on Dec. 10, 1941, some of which are pictured in the 1941 photo Photo courtesy The News & Observer and the State Archives of North Carolina
WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
BY JAYLIN KREMER
Independence Day for most Americans is a day of cookouts, fireworks, and festivities. Children are wide-eyed with excitement, and there are plenty of smiles and laughter shared by friends and strangers alike. A picture-perfect day signifying just what it means to live the American Dream.
The weather is perfect, the boom from the fireworks is felt in your chest as the sky glows radiantly with beautiful shapes and colors. I can already taste the hot dogs fresh off the grill and feel the refreshing cold drink in my hand. After all, Independence Day symbolizes our very identity as citizens of the United States.
For some, patriotism may mean they wear red, white, and blue to show their support on this one day of the year. Others demonstrate their love for our country to much greater lengths each and every day, sometimes down to their very last.
This holiday should always hold a special sentiment for the residents here at Fort Liberty, especially since its name has changed. The controversial change from Fort Bragg has been known to cause more than a few raised brows. But one mother’s advocacy for what the right name was for this place we call home cannot be forgotten while we enjoy the day off, relaxing with our
friends and family, celebrating just what it means to be American.
Fort Liberty, along with eight other Army Installations, was renamed in 2023 by the Dept. of Defense Naming Commission in an effort to reflect values of patriotism, freedom, and unity, shedding the names of the Confederate soldiers they previously honored.
I had the pleasure of obtaining a deeper understanding of just where “Liberty” came from, what it signifies, and why all residents living on this post should remember why the change is not controversial, but a constant reminder of why we are all here, especially
God is not done with you yet, you still have more to accomplish.
— Patti Elliott
Various pictures and proclamations in honor of U S Army Spc Daniel Lucas Elliott for the ceremony dedicating and renaming the Cary, N.C., Army Reserve center in his honor June 8, 2013. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Joel Quebec/Released.
on Independence Day.
American Gold Star Mothers 1st Vice President Patti Elliott, mother of Spc. Daniel “Lucas” Elliott, gallantly advocated for the change to Fort Liberty. Her cause is one to be respected, honored, and forever remembered.
Recalling the intense events from the renaming commission meeting, Patti explained that she raised her hand and said, “My son did not die for one community or the other. He died for freedom. He died for liberty.”
Following the meeting, each commission was to send their top three choices, but retired Gen. Dan McNeill would send Liberty as the only option. When the time came to officially honor Fort Liberty’s new name on June 2, 2023, Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, most recently commanding general of XVIII Airborne Corps, recognized Patti for inspiring Donahue and other officials to recognize what was right.
I had the opportunity to interview Patti, during which I got the chance to learn about who her son was and what Lucas’ mission meant to her. Patti’s mission today is inspirational, to say the least. Patti remembers that her son first demonstrated his patriotism at the age of 12. Her family did what Americans everywhere were doing as the events of 9/11 unfolded; they sat glued to the TV watching as the twin towers fell.
“I’m gonna make sure that doesn’t happen to America again,” Lucas told his mother. And as the years went by, Patti proudly reports that his patriotism did not waver.
When Lucas turned 17 in 2006, he asked his parents if he could bring someone to their home to meet them. It was an Army recruiter. By 2007, Lucas was a military police officer assigned to Cary, North Carolina. In 2008 he went on his first deployment to Basra, Iraq, until 2010.
After returning, Lucas’ unit was set to deploy in May 2011. Even though he had just returned from a lengthy deployment, Lucas wanted to be with his unit and jumped through the necessary hoops to deploy again.
On July 15, 2011, Lucas’ convoy was hit by a roadside IED, and Lucas was killed instantly.
“His mission was complete,” Patti said.
Patti remained supported by the four soldiers who were with Lucas when he died.
On the days the survivor’s guilt weighed heavily on them, Patti would say, “God is
not done with you yet, you still have more to accomplish.”
This would become her philosophy, why she stays so connected, and why she fights for all those who are still in the military today.
On his last Fourth of July while he was alive, Lucas called his brother, Brad, who was with his wife in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Lucas, who loved the ocean, asked if his brother could put him on speaker so he could hear the sounds of the water. This was the last call the two would have.
In remembrance of Lucas, and all that he fought for, his family goes to the beach to celebrate the Fourth of July every year.
Patti explained that her son Brad continues to honor veterans and demonstrates his patriotism at any opportunity he is given.
As their mother, she is beyond proud that both of her boys have demonstrated their
patriotism, even if in different ways.
To this, she adds: “It’s not just about us. We are just one story in thousands, and it is important to honor all of them.”
Liberty is much more than a name, or just one person. Liberty is for all of us. Liberty is what our men and women in uniform fight for day in and day out. Liberty is what many die for. Liberty is what we celebrate on July 4.
This year, while you celebrate with your friends and family, remember Lucas, remember Patti. Remember all those who have laid down their lives for our freedom.
Remember all those who have worn the uniform to protect our freedom, and those who wear it today.
“And to the Republic for which it stands,” as the Pledge of Allegiance says, “one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.”
The family of Spc. Daniel Lucas Elliott gather next to the plaque that memorializes the Cary Army Reserve center in North Carolina Joining the family is Lt Col Laura Steele commander of the 535th Military Police Battalion. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Joel Quebec, 81st Readiness Division.
Books that changed soldiers’ lives
BY DIANE PARFITT
In the darkest times, it is the stories that keep us alive.
– Molly Guptill Manning
I have often read stories about a book or books that changed someone’s life. I have seen articles that ask you to think about books that have changed your life. I have read many books that I liked a lot and some that I loved, and I recommend these to other people. But I never really thought of books as life-changing. There is one book, however, that did affect how I think about books and their potential to change someone’s life. That book is “When Books Went to War” by Molly Guptill Manning. It tells the true story of a program that brought thousands of books to soldiers in World War II and how, in many cases, these books changed their lives. When I read it for the first time after it came out in 2014, I was really touched by it and I recommended it to my book clubs and to many of my customers, but I did not think of it as life-changing.
1941, they decided to make sure our soldiers fighting overseas had books to read and they joined together to collect books to send to the troops.
The Victory Book Campaign (VBC) had a goal of 10 million books and the books started pouring in. The goal was reached in 1942, but it became apparent that the donated books were not always the best — hardback books were too bulky for the troops to carry, and some were not what they wanted to read, like cookbooks! By 1943, the number of donations dwindled, and something needed to be done.
President Franklin Roosevelt and his administration realized that books could be ideological weapons. While Hitler wanted to destroy books because they were dangerous to his mission, we knew that books could
“When Books Went to War” by Molly Guptill Manning tells the story of the thousands of Armed Services Editions (ASEs) books that were printed starting in 1943; 122 million copies were distributed to our troops.
Over the years, as I continued to talk about this book and recommend it to others, I was called to read it again. When I read it a second time, it added an even deeper level of appreciation I have for the power of the written word. Of all the books I have reviewed for CityView, this is the one book that deserves a column all to itself.
In the early 1930s, Adolf Hitler and the Nazis were on the rise in Germany. Books that were seen as subversive were targeted for burning in a widespread campaign in 1933. On this side of the Atlantic, librarians and other Americans were outraged at the idea of book banning and burning. When America joined the war in
bring comfort, knowledge, and escape to soldiers during World War II. They were a way to boost morale, provide intellectual stimulation, and keep the soldiers connected to the world they were fighting to protect. Roosevelt’s administration hatched a plan to ask American publishers to print specifically designed paperback books for the troops that would fit in their pockets.
The Council of Books in Wartime began working to meet this need. Over 1,300 titles of the Armed Services Editions (ASEs) were printed starting in 1943 and 122 million copies were distributed to our troops. A wide range of titles were published including classics,
modern novels, mysteries, biographies, Westerns, and poetry.
In “When Books Went to War,” Manning describes many examples of the profound impact of these books. My favorite is the story of a 20-year-old Marine who is in the hospital after contracting malaria during the war. He is writing to Betty Smith, author of “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.” He tells her that he had been in combat the last two years, and it was hell. He is now reading her book for the third time, and it is helping him realize he can live again. In writing to her, it brings him inordinate comfort to bare his soul this way.
There are numerous books that went to war that found an audience and became more popular as a result. “The Great Gatsby” was not particularly well-received when it was first published, but when thousands of soldiers discovered it through the Armed Services Edition, it became a literary classic. Many other titles that were published as ASEs (they are all listed in the back of Manning’s book) are the classics we still read today.
The legacy of the ASEs continued after the war. Many soldiers developed a love of reading and continued this love after the war, and, thanks to the GI Bill, went off to college with a desire and passion for learning.
I have always told people about books that I love, books that I think they might like to read, and now I can tell them about a book that in some ways did change my life. I loved “When Books Went to War” so much that I searched and found some Armed Service Edition copies. I was able to obtain five original, well-used copies that I have cherished and shown to people when I tell them about Manning’s book.
In my bookstore recently, I became so overwhelmed in telling the story of the ASE books to a soldier that I just gave him one. But you know, I still have four that I can show to others as I tell them about the book that truly changed my life.
Diane Parfitt is a retired pediatric nurse and former assistant professor of nursing education. She owns City Center Gallery & Books in downtown Fayetteville. She can be reached at citycentergallerybooks@gmail.com.
Reading is an honor and a gift from a warrior or historian who, a decade or a thousand decades ago, set aside time to write. He distilled a lifetime of campaigning in order to have a conversation with you. We have been fighting on this planet for 10,000 years. It would be idiotic and unethical to not take advantage of such accumulated experiences. … Any commander who claims he is ‘too busy to read’ is going to fill body bags with his troops as he learns the hard way.
– General Jim Mattis
Over 1,300 titles of the Armed Services Editions (ASEs) were printed starting in 1943 and 122 million copies were distributed to our troops A wide range of titles were published including classics, modern novels, mysteries, biographies, Westerns, and poetry
THE TO-DO LIST
Here are just some of the things happening in and around Fayetteville this month. For more events and additional information, visit www.cityviewnc.com/calendar. Email cityview@cityviewnc.com to share your event with us!
JULY 1
Fayetteville Woodpeckers vs. Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
Segra Stadium
460 Hay St. distinctlyfayettevillenc.com
JULY 4
Independence Day
Concert With FSO
Festival Park
335 Ray Ave. visitdowntownfayetteville.com/
JULY 4
USA Baseball at Segra Stadium
Segra Stadium
460 Hay St. segrastadium.com
JULY 5
Foster Licensing
Bordeaux Community Library 3711 Village Drive distinctlyfayettevillenc.com
JULY 5
Introduction to Kayak Fishing John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center 7489 Raeford Road distinctlyfayettevillenc.com
JULY 6
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Elements – Fire
West Regional Library 7469 Century Circle cumberlandcountync.gov
JULY 9
Motivated About Dance Studioz Summer Camp 5217 Raeford Road, Suite 103 eventbrite.com
JULY 13
Underground Foodtruck festival
335 Ray Ave. eventbrite.com
JULY 14
Dog Yoga
Patriot K Nine Training & Behavior 3760 Sycamore Dairy Road distinctlyfayettevillenc.com
JULY 15
Summer Sewing Workshop/ Camp (Regency Week)
1897 Poe House 801 Arsenal Ave. distinctlyfayettevillenc.com
JULY 19
2024 Chamber Career and Resource Expo Crown Expo 1960 Coliseum Drive chamber.faybiz.com
JULY 23
2024 Quarterly Prayer Breakfast Manna Church 5117 Cliffdale Road chamber.faybiz.com
JULY 26
Sculpture and Miniature Art
Cape Fear Studios & Gallery 148 Maxwell St. capefearstudios.com
JULY 27
4th Friday
Downtown Fayetteville 222 Hay St. visitdowntownfayetteville.com
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CityView's Downtown Visionaries Luncheon
PHOTOS BY TONY WOOTEN
For the fourth year, champions of the city center are recognized for their commitment.
CityView's 2024 Downtown Visionaries, John Malzone, Eric Lindstrom, and Hank Parfitt
Bianca Shoneman
Hank Parfitt
Pavan Patel
Bianca Shoneman, CEO of Cool Springs Downtown District, discusses the current state of downtown.
Guests are welcomed to CityView's Downtown Visionaries luncheon on Thursday, June 13, 2024.
John Malzone
Kim Olalekan, Cumberland Community Foundation
Eric Lindstrom
Lynelle Sparrow, Fayetteville Area Operation Inasmuch
50 Years of Color
PHOTOS BY SABREENA CZARNECKI
The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County celebrated its 50th anniversary June 6 at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden.
Catherine Evans, Almarie Chalmers, Robyn Pitt, John Salling, and Gail Shillingford
Elisa Luna, Sandra Peralta, and Coco Ramirez Kashia Knight and Carly Cox
Kenya Lawton
Debbie Best, Judy Dawkins, Anna Smith, and Lynne Barrett
Amber Little, Dominique Womack, and Lauren Falls
James Clark, Stuart McLemore, and Taiki Azuma
Erica Rice, Kimiko Rice, and Eris Rice
Juneteenth Celebration 5K
PHOTOS BY ORIANA EVANS
Cool Spring Downtown District held a 5K race June 15 in celebration of Juneteenth with a route weaving through downtown Fayetteville.
Wendy Flores
Lilly Soliman
Freddy Perkins
Desiree Ruiz and Angelica Dansby
Jonathan Cannon
MaKaylah Thompson and Kiada Maynor
Helen Nelson and Toshiba Narcisse
Olivia Ninesling and Brent Unglesbee
Camilo Sanchez and Landon Smith
Brian Perry
When
Thursday, Nov. 30 from 5-7
Friday, Dec. 1 from 5-7
Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10
Thursday, Dec. 7 from 5-7 PM
Friday, Dec. 8 from 5-7 PM
Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 AM - 5 PM
Our Christmas Home Tour is in two of our neighborhoods, the first two weekends in December on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Fayetteville, NC Lennox Haymount
We are offering interest buydowns starting as low as 4.5% buydown for the 10 move-in ready models during this Christmas Parade of Homes Tour.
You are invited to celebrate the season with the Floyd Christmas Open House. Come see the exquisitely, decorated homes and all of our latest features. Pick up your gift from under our tree and enjoy a glass of eggnog while sharing holiday food, fun, and cheer with us.
Discover timeless luxury at this brand new community of townhomes built by Floyd Properties; owned and operated by Lennox Townhomes, LLC. Lennox at Haymont showcases our executive townhomes with exquisite finishes and superior construction, redefining high standards. Centrally located in desirable Haymount, our 70 years of home-building expertise ensures a residence that stands the test of time. Welcome to a legacy of refined living.
Where
Scan for information and directions.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Where Your Children Come First
www.kidsfirstpedsraeford.com
Kids First Pediatrics of Raeford and Fayetteville has created a professional and caring medical environment for infants, children, adolescents and their families. We provide complete pediatric and adolescent care.
Pediatric Services We Provide Check Ups, Sick Child Visits & More in Raeford and Fayetteville
• Well Child Visits
• Sick Child Visits
• Vaccine & Immunization Schedule
• 2023-2024 Guide to the Flu
• School, Sports, & Camp Physicals
4005 Fayetteville Road Raeford, NC 28376
Mon. to Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Vaccines & Immunizations
• ADHD Testing & Treatment
• Asthma Symptoms & Treatment
• Breastfeeding Support
• Urinalysis
• Strep and Mono Screen
• Vision and Hearing Tests
Jose Buenaseda, MD, FAAP
Leamor Buenaseda, MD, FAAP
Sreelekha Sashidhar, MD, FAAP
Christine Arnold, CPNP-PC
Melanie Pitts, DNP, NP-C
Beverly de La Rosa, CPNP-PC
Danielle Trigg, CPNP-PC
Cinthia Follrod, CPNP-PC
Rachelle Olson, FNPC
2694 NC 24-87 Cameron, NC 28326
Mon. to Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
910.500.KIDS (5437) 2035 Valleygate Dr., Ste. 101 Fayetteville, NC 28304 Mon. to Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 910.677.0007
910.306.KIDS (5437)
910.848.KIDS (5437) 6415 Brookstone Lane, Ste. 101 Fayetteville, NC 28314 Mon. to Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Brookstone office only 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturdays for sick/urgent appointments, established patients only.
“Everything looks better on me now.”
After the birth of her children, Michelle Runyan started to think about a tummy tuck. She didn’t like what four pregnancies had done to her body, and she was ready to do something about it.
She found Cape Fear Valley Plastic Surgery, and “right away, felt completely at ease.” Runyan left her consultation with a plan for three procedures: the tummy tuck, a bit of liposuction and a repair to some abdominal muscles that had separated during her pregnancies.
Now fully healed, Runyan still makes the drive from Anson County to Dr. Nordberg’s office for aesthetic procedures, such as Botox and lip fillers. Aesthetic services performed in the office are less invasive and offer more immediate gratification.
