1950- Synopsis of Events

1950: Synopsis of Events

Prior to the celebration on May 19th, the governor was the guest of the mayor for breakfast in the suite at the Hotel Selwyn. Dr. H. W. Jordan, chairman of the North Carolina State Highway Commission, attended, as did many members of the press. There was a luncheon in his honor at the City Club with members of the Armed Forces leaders, about 75 guests in total. During this speech, The governor challenged those in attendance to follow the determination of the founders of this county to be independent and not hampered by political bondage. The atomic age had come, and politicians must be chosen who can adapt to the “international picture.” It was because of this attitude that he announced the appointment of Dr. Frank P. Graham as Senator to succeed the late Senator Broughton.  

“Nation Joins Mecklenburg In Its Annual Celebration” wrote LeGette Blythe on the front page in The Charlotte Observer on 5/21/1950. The 175th anniversary of the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence fell on the day of the first Armed Services Day, celebrated by the entire country. Prior to 1950, each branch of the service celebrated on different days.  

The celebration was military in nature, with units from Fort Bragg – the 82nd Airborne’s 504th and 505th Infantry, the 440th Army Band, Battery A of the division’s 456th Artillery Regiment and Marines from the Second Division at Camp Lejeune.  

Among the notable participants were Governor W. Kerr Scott, a believer in the Mecklenburg Declaration; Brigadier General William J. Whaling, commanding officer of the Second Marines; Col. Redding F. Perry, commander of the North Carolina military district and Lieutenant Colonel Wilbur H. Wilson of the 82nd Unit.  

Marchers in the parade included high school bands, the National Guard, Naval Reserve, Gold Star Mothers, state highway patrol leaders, Charlotte city government personnel, firemen, the DAR and UDC, American Legion posts, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Volunteer Air Reserve, War Mothers as well as an automobile full of overseas wives of former American soldiers. The Air National Guard flew planes overhead, while the United States Navy flew its blimp.  

Governor Scott, Charlotte Mayor Victor Shaw, parade chairman Colonel Lawrence L. Simpson rode at the head of the parade. They were taken to the front of the library at 310 N. Tryon and stood in the reviewing stands to watch the rest of the parade.  

The Gold Star Mothers were the honored guests at a program at the city’s new Evergreen Cemetery. Dr. Herbert Spaugh, pastor of the Moravian Little Church on the Lane, made the address, ended by the Marines firing a salute and a bugler blowing “Taps.”  

The day ended with a military ball at the Charlotte Quartermaster Depot, with Doug Hill’s orchestra providing the music. A UDC chapter presented the medals to World War II veterans, whose ancestors served in the Confederate forces.