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Thursday, December 5, 2019
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Volume 85 • Issue 49
Good news for great people! • Belmont • Cramerton • Lowell • McAdenville • Mount Holly • Stanley
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Local Korean War hero finally laid to rest By Alan Hodge Alan@cfmedia.info
After 69 years and almost to the very day of December 2 when he lost his life in battle in 1950, Korean War soldier Cpl. Earl Duncan’s remains were finally laid to rest last Saturday with full military honors at Gaston Memorial Park. Duncan was a native of Cramerton and was serving in the U.S. Army when he was killed at age 23 in the terrible fighting around the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. He was a member of the 32nd Reg., 7th Div. at the time of his death. Duncan’s remains had been missing for decades, but were returned home to Gaston County on November 23. His remains were identified by the Army using forensic and DNA evidence. The family was notified of his positive identification on September 11, 2019. Visitation for Duncan was held at McAdenville Wesleyan Church. A large number of family and friends attended the event. The church sanctuary was packed with wellwishers who greeted and chatted with Earl’s siblings
Cpl. Earl Duncan Sam and Howard Duncan and sister Elsie Duncan Loftin. Duncan’s great nephew Pastor Michael Loftin read several moving comments written by brother Sam and sister Elsie where they shared some insight into Earl’s personality and the impact his death had on the family. “I remember Earl was a boy full of curiosity who loved to hunt and fish,� Sam’s note said. “I remember one time he was in the river and came out with a water snake on his finger. I love him and am glad he is home now.� See DUNCAN, Pages 10 & 11
Members of the 82nd Airborne Honor Guard carry the casket containing the remains of Cpl. Earl Duncan during last Saturday’s burial ceremony at Gaston Memorial Park. Photo by Alan Hodge
McAdenville turns on Christmas lights for 64th year By Alan Hodge Alan@cfmedia.info
Belmont Central Elementary students craft Christmas cards for the military By Alan Hodge Alan@cfmedia.info
The student body at Belmont Central Elementary School spent a day last week making over 300 festive Christmas cards for members of the U.S. Marine Corps. The handmade cards were decorated with Christmas trees and other Yuletide motifs and signed by the students. The idea for the Christmas
card campaign came from the school’s P.E. teacher Stephanie Daniel. Before coming to Belmont Central last year, Daniel had been a teacher at North Belmont Elementary. What prompted her to come up with the Christmas cards to the military idea was the fact that her husband was in the Marines for eleven years and she taught at the places he was stationed. See CARDS, Page 2
The switch was flipped last Monday that turned on the dazzling Christmas lights in McAdenville. The lights will be turned on nightly until Dec. 26. The ceremonial lighting event was held in front of the Pharr Family YMCA in downtown McAdenville. As is the tradition, a student from McAdenville Elementary School had the honor of throwing the breaker. The student that was selected to turn the lights on this year is Nathaly Sanchez Reyna. She is the daughter of Jacinta Reyna Diaz and Abra- McAdenville Elementary second grader Nathaly Sanchez Reyna did the honors Monday evening ham Sanchez Reyna. of throwing the switch that turned on the Christmastown USA lights in McAdenville. See McADENVILLE, Page 12 Photo by Alan Hodge
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