This past weekend was the 243rd Anniversary of the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge. This annual National Park event had been in jeopardy because of the flood damage from Hurricane Florence in September. Fortunately, the Park Staff worked miracles to prepare for all the visitors. In spite of the forty-something degree temperature and the threat of rain, a large crowd turned out for the wreath layings, re-enactments, and colonial lifestyle demonstrations. DAR, SAR, and C.A.R. members gathered behind the Laney High School JROTC color guard and processed quietly with flags flying to each of the monuments to place wreaths. Once at the Grady Monument under the shelter of an open tent, Kevin Cherry of the NC Department of Archives was the keynote speaker. Park Manager Matthew Woods revealed the height of the flood water reached 15 feet in some areas and mentioned that the Grady Monument was under water up to the beginning of the top section of the obelisk. We were all stunned by this as that would have put the water level well above our heads. I was honored to accompany Battleground Association President Connie Hendrix and Jo Stroud, Regent of Stamp Defiance Chapter, as Connie placed the Battlefield Association’s wreath on the tripod before the Grady monument. Many of us gathered afterwards at the local Baptist church for their now famous home cooked lunch. Many thanks to all who turned out to mark this important Patriot victory. It’s always fun, so y’all come.
Carole Weiss, State Regent
