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The North Carolina Military Historical Society was incorporated in 1966 and is interested in preserving and sharing the unique military history of North Carolina in a variety of ways. Andrew Duppstadt, Treasurer of the NC Military Historical Society, tells Up & Coming Weekly that there is a chapter in Fayetteville, but this will be the first time the symposium has been held in Fayetteville.
“For many years, the symposium was held in Raleigh, but starting in 2022, we branched out, hosting the symposium in New Bern. This year is Fayetteville. In 2024 we will probably return to Raleigh, and in the future, may hold symposiums elsewhere around the state,” Duppstadt said.
This year’s event will focus on some current and historic Military installations in North Carolina. There will be presentations on Camp Lejeune, Camp Davis and Fort Fisher during World War II, the history of Fort Bragg, and the U.S. Coast Guard in North Carolina.
The day’s schedule is flexible, so people can attend a lecture and leave as their schedule permits. The symposium will kick off at 9 a.m. The first lecture will be at 10 a.m. by Paul Peeples. Peeples is a native of Fayetteville and a veteran of twenty years with the United States Marine Corps. He will be talking about Camp Lejeune during World War II.
Following his presentation, Cliff Tyndall, a recently retired History and Geography Professor at Bladen Community College, will provide a presentation on Camp Davis and Fort Fisher during World War II. His lecture starts at 11 a.m.
There will be an hour-and-a-half break for lunch. The symposium will resume at 1:15 p.m. with a presentation about the history of Fort Bragg. That will be provided by Dr. Linda F. Carnes-McNaughton, a professional archaeologist, researcher, and cultural resources manager.
The final presentation, scheduled for 2:15 p.m., will be given by Atlanta Area Historian for the U.S. Coast Guard, Dr. William Thiesen. He will be talking about the U.S. Coast Guard in North Carolina. At 3:15 p.m., there will be a special opportunity to tour the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Museum. Learning about state and military history is beneficial.
“I think the study of North Carolina’s Military history gives lessons to current generations,” Peeples said.
“One example is the Battle of Guildford Court House in the Revolutionary War. The results of Guildford Court House lead the British Commander, Lord Cornwallis, to go to Yorktown with the army he commanded, where it would be surrounded, cut off from reinforcement or evacuation, and compelled to surrender,” he said.
Attendees may take home more than knowledge.
“Each year at the symposium, we hold a book raffle. Raffle tickets are drawn numerous times throughout the day, and folks can pick from a wide array of military history books,” Duppstadt said.
“We are happy to be hosting this in Fayetteville and hope local folks will come out, see what we’re all about, and hopefully decide to become members of the Fayetteville Chapter.”
The symposium will take place on Saturday, May 6 and is free and open to the public. The presentations will be in the Pate Room of the Cumberland County Headquarters Library. The FILI Museum is located across the street from the library, within walking distance.
For more information on the NC Military Historical Society, visit www.ncmilitaryhistoricalsociety.org.