Entertainment

“It Changed Our Lives.” Fort Bragg family finds freedom through Gary Sinise Foundation

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Tuesday, 30 June 2026

Written by PFC James Hernandez, XVIII Airborne Corps PAO

For the fourth time since 2003, actor, musician and humanitarian Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band hosted a concert on Fort Bragg, N.C., continuing their mission to honor and give back to the local military community.  

 For one family in particular, it wasn’t just a concert, but an opportunity for a long overdue ‘thank you.’

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Justin Runk, Corps Counterintelligence Coordinating Authority (CICA), XVIII Airborne Corps, was deployed in 2024 leaving his wife, Stephanie, and then 10-year-old son at home. That alone doesn’t make the Runk family unique, but their son is wheelchair bound, making day-to-day activities difficult.

“Every day is a struggle when you don’t have a vehicle equipped to transport a wheelchair,” said Runk. “We looked at vans to make it easier for my wife, but the prices were easily $25,000 to $50,000, making it impractical to buy before I left.”

While deployed, a family friend told Stephanie about the Gary Sinise Foundation’s vehicle donation program, something that sounded too good to be true. The constant challenge of getting her son in and out of their car was taking its toll on Stephanie, and she submitted the online application. When prompted to select a desired delivery date, she chose her birthday, April 5.

“I was so positive and faithful that we were going to get the van that I put down my birthday,” Stephanie said. “Then on March 30, they called and said, ‘Come get your van on your birthday.’”

Stephanie received the birthday present of a lifetime.

“The van has changed our lives drastically,” said Runk. “It’s given us the freedom to safely transport Jaxon to and from his medical appointments and just get him around.”

Prior to the June 13 concert, Sinise and band members met with the Runk family backstage, an engagement Runk put into motion once he learned about the Lt. Dan Band’s visit to Fort Bragg.

For Stephanie, she’d been waiting for the moment to properly say thank you to the foundation that changed her family’s lives.

“They made it very seamless and very easy,” Stephanie said. “There was no fanfare. They didn’t want publicity. They just wanted to do something good for our family.” For Sinise it’s about giving back to a group of people who give so much.

“I just felt a need to get out there and let people know that I appreciate them,” said Sinise. “We want to make sure we’re not forgetting what people are doing for our country.”

The Runks are now huge advocates of the Gary Sinise Foundation. Whether they are encouraging military families that may need help, or creating awareness so others can shed light on the resources offered.

As the Lt. Dan Band took the stage later that evening, the family joined hundreds of Soldiers and community members in attendance. For the Runks, it was more than a concert, it was an opportunity to thank Sinise and his foundation for transforming daily challenges into a renewed sense of independence.

“Share the resource if you don’t need it,” Runk said. “Maybe there’s a family that does. And if you do need it, make sure you apply. The Gary Sinise Foundation has been amazing.”

For more info on the Gary Sinise Foundation, visit https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/

(Photo: The Lt. Dan Band performs for an audience at the Tolson Youth Center on Fort Bragg, June 13, 2026. The Lt. Dan Band performs concerts around the world to honor service members, veterans, first responders and their families while supporting the outreach efforts of the Gary Sinise Foundation. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. James Hernandez)

Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra celebrates Fourth of July

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Tuesday, 30 June 2026

Written by Sheila D. Barker

This Independence Day carries special meaning as we mark another milestone in our nation's journey since its founding in 1776. The free admission concert at Festival Park on Saturday, July 4, offers more than just entertainment. It's an opportunity for our community to come together and reflect on our shared history, the progress we've made, and the work that remains. The event begins at 7:30 p.m., with gates opening at 6 p.m., giving families and friends plenty of time to settle in and enjoy the evening together. 

Fayetteville's unique character, shaped by military service and a diverse mix of service members, families and transplants from around the world, creates a meaningful backdrop for this celebration. This community embodies the American story in a tangible way, from local restaurants to festivals to businesses; you can see the melting pot of cultures and experiences that define our nation. The Fourth of July concert at Festival Park reflects this spirit, bringing together residents from all walks of life to honor the people and institutions that continue to shape the United States. 

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, in partnership with the City of Fayetteville and Fayetteville PWC, has created an event that's truly accessible to everyone. With free admission and support from organizations including the North Carolina Arts Council, Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, Dogwood Festival, Fayetteville Parks and Recreation and HIS Radio, this celebration demonstrates the power of community collaboration. It's an evening where neighbors become friends and where we can all appreciate the values that unite us. 

The musical lineup for this year's concert showcases exceptional talent and patriotic spirit. Under the direction of Dr. Daniel McCloud, the evening will feature performances from the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, the Fayetteville Symphonic Band and members of the 82nd Airborne Division Band. This combination of professional musicians, dedicated community instrumentalists and military performers creates a uniquely powerful musical experience that honors both artistic excellence and service to the country. 

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra has earned praise for its artistic excellence and serves as the leading musical resource for our region. As a professional regional orchestra, the FSO is dedicated to educating, entertaining and inspiring citizens throughout the Fayetteville and southeastern North Carolina. Throughout the year, the symphony performs a variety of concerts, including subscription concerts, free community performances and educational programs designed for music lovers of all ages. This Fourth of July concert represents their commitment to making high-quality musical experiences accessible to the entire community.  

Adding to the evening's entertainment, the Fayetteville Symphonic Band brings together a community of instrumentalists who are passionate about preserving great wind band music in our area. The band meets weekly under Dr. McCloud's direction, and performs free concerts throughout the year, demonstrating their dedication to community engagement. Those interested in joining this talented group can find information at https://www.fayettevillesymphony.org/fayetteville-symphonic-band/.  The collaboration of these three exceptional musical ensembles promises an unforgettable evening of patriotic favorites and classical masterpieces, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display. 

Festival Park transforms into a welcoming space for families and friends to gather and celebrate together.  Food truck vendors will be on-site throughout the evening, offering a variety of delicious options to satisfy every taste. Whether you're craving classic festival fare or looking to try something new, the food vendors add to the celebratory atmosphere and ensure that no one goes hungry during the evening's festivities. This convenience means families can focus on enjoying the music and fireworks without worrying about meal planning. 

The event is designed with families in mind, creating an environment where people of all ages can feel comfortable and engaged. The combination of world-class musical performances, patriotic celebration, and the grand finale fireworks display ensures that there's something special for everyone. From young children experiencing their first Independence Day concert to seniors who have celebrated decades of American history. It's an opportunity to create lasting memories with loved ones while honoring the values that make our nation strong. 

To ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience, Festival Park has implemented several important policies that attendees should be aware of before arriving. A clear bag policy will be in place, so plan accordingly when packing your essentials for the evening. This security measure helps keep everyone safe while allowing for efficient entry into the park. For complete details about security procedures, visit https://www.fayettevillenc.gov/Parks-and-Recreation.

Other policies to note are that only service animals are permitted at the event. Additionally, skateboards, bicycles, personal tents or canopies, and outside food or beverages are not allowed. These guidelines help maintain a safe, accessible environment for all attendees and ensure that everyone can enjoy unobstructed views of the performance and fireworks. The food truck vendors on-site will provide plenty of refreshment options throughout the evening. 

Arriving early is highly recommended, as this popular community event typically draws large crowds. With gates opening at 6 p.m. and the concert starting at 7:30 p.m., giving yourself extra time to park, enter the festival grounds and find a comfortable viewing spot will enhance your experience. Consider bringing blankets or low-profile lawn chairs (where permitted) for your family's comfort during the performance. Most importantly, come with a spirit of community and celebration, ready to enjoy an evening that honors our nation's independence and the values that bring us together. 

Events like the Fourth of July Festival Park Concert demonstrate the strength of community partnerships and the commitment of local organizations to enriching the lives of area residents. The collaboration between numerous supporting organizations reflects a shared dedication to providing accessible, high-quality cultural experiences. This investment in community celebrations creates opportunities for connection, reflection, and joy that extend far beyond a single evening. 

As we gather at Festival Park to honor Independence Day, we're not just watching a concert and fireworks. We're participating in a tradition that strengthens our community bonds and reminds us of what we can accomplish when we work together. The memories created on this special evening will stay with families for years to come, becoming part of the stories we tell and the experiences that shape our community identity. Be sure to join in this celebration of American independence, artistic excellence, and the spirit of togetherness that makes Fayetteville such a special place to live, learn, and grow. Festival Park is located at 335 Ray Ave. 

(Pictures: The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra celebrates the Fourth of July in 2025. Once again, the FSO will take the stage in Festival Park in 2026. Photos courtesy of FSO)

Take a walk: Touring Fayetteville’s forgotten stories

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Tuesday, 30 June 2026

Written by Jamie Bishop

Braxton Clark believes Fayetteville is carrying more history than it knows what to do with.

As a tour guide with Triangle Walking Tours, Clark spends Saturdays leading visitors through downtown streets that many residents pass every day without realizing what has happened beneath their feet. Ghost stories and true crime may draw the largest crowds, but for Clark, the real treasure is local history, the kind that reveals a city far older, stranger and more consequential than its reputation suggests.

“I feel like there are a lot of ways in this town where our history is treated very weird,” Clark said. “You’d be surprised at how historically significant this town was. Fayetteville is up there in terms of historically significant towns.”

Triangle Walking Tours offers several Fayetteville tours on Saturdays: a history and architecture tour at 2 p.m., a Black history tour at 4 p.m., a true crime tour at 6 p.m. and a ghost tour at 8 p.m. The tours give residents and visitors a chance to experience downtown Fayetteville as more than a collection of buildings, restaurants and familiar intersections.

For Clark, who describes himself as an archaeologist and local history enthusiast, the walking tours are about restoring depth to places that have often been flattened into a single sentence.

Take the Market House, for example.

To many, it is known primarily as a place where enslaved people were once sold. Clark does not dismiss that painful history, but he argues that the structure’s story is broader, more complicated and more revealing. He points to its role after the Civil War, when newly freed Black residents celebrated Jubilee Day there and gathered in the same space to mark freedom, survival and community.

“A lot of those newly freed enslaved individuals would have found out about their freedom at the Market House,” Clark said. “Going forward, you would actually have years and years where that Market House would be used specifically by the Black population of Fayetteville to celebrate their freedom on Jubilee Day.”

That, he said, is the kind of history Fayetteville should be willing to hold in full, not polished, not reduced, not hidden.

Clark is especially drawn to figures such as Isaac Hammond, a Black Revolutionary War soldier from Fayetteville who enlisted at 15, survived Valley Forge and returned home to a country that still denied Black citizens basic rights.

“He came home from the war fighting for the freedom of this new nation that he helped create,” Clark said. “And this nation immediately went and put up laws that said Black people aren’t allowed to be in a militia. Black people are not allowed to vote. And he did it anyway.”

For Clark, Hammond represents a Fayetteville spirit that deserves more recognition.

“That is the most American thing to do,” he said. “Do it anyway.”

The walking tours also challenge the idea that Fayetteville is simply an extension of Fort Bragg. Clark said many people think of the city as “Fort Bragg plus,” forgetting that Fayetteville’s story began long before the military installation became part of the region’s identity.

For most of its history, he said, Fayetteville was its own complicated, evolving Southern town, shaped by agriculture, commerce, slavery, war, Reconstruction, Black resilience and civic ambition.

The true crime and ghost tours offer a different doorway into that past. Some stories date back to the 1800s and, according to Clark, “read like a soap opera.” But even those darker tales are tied to real streets, real businesses and real families.

One of Clark’s favorite examples involves a carriage wheel he found near First Presbyterian Church and later donated to the local history museum. His research led him to the Simpson and McLaughlin carriage repository, once located near Liberty Point. That discovery connected to another tour story involving Alexander Simpson, one of the business owners, whose name appears in both the true crime and ghost tours.

“You start to really surprisingly easily put this puzzle together,” Clark said. “It’s like a 3D map of time and space.”

That is the power of a walking tour. Unlike a textbook or a museum case, the streets become part of the lesson. A guide can stand near the site of an old killing, point toward a nearby intersection and help guests imagine how a witness saw events unfold more than a century ago.

“There are so many things you don’t get from a page or a screen,” Clark said. “It’s a lot easier to get the lay of the land once you’re actually at an intersection.”

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Clark believes Fayetteville has a responsibility to stop treating its local history as an afterthought. He wants the city to lean into its complexity, preserve what remains and tell the stories of ordinary people with the same care often reserved for generals, politicians and national heroes.

“History is just as much of a quilt,” Clark said. “Every person is a patch of fabric, and it’s all woven together in a way that really blows your mind when you start to look into it.”

That quilt, in Fayetteville, is still being stitched together.

And for those willing to walk slowly, listen closely and look again, the city is still speaking. For more information about the walking tours, visit their website, https://www.trianglewalkingtours.com 

(Photo by J. Stephen Conn. For more photos, visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/jstephenconn/with/3908622566/)

Threads of Memory: Massey Hill Mill House preserves community woven together by family, work

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Tuesday, 30 June 2026

Written by Jamie Bishop

Long before Fayetteville became synonymous with military service, another industry helped define the city and shape the lives of generations of local families.

Inside a modest home tucked along Camden Road, those stories still live.

The Fayetteville History Museum will open the doors to the historic Massey Hill Mill House on July 11 from 11 a.m. to noon, inviting visitors to step into a world where life revolved around spinning frames, neighborhood schools and front porches occupied by people who knew one another not simply as neighbors, but as family.

For Hattie M. Presnell of the Fayetteville History Museum, the significance of the house extends far beyond its walls.

“The Massey Hill Mill House provides our community with a glimpse of how our local textile mill communities lived,” she said. “The Massey Hill community has a strong community built around the textile industry.”

That spirit of togetherness helped define an era when textile mills served as the heartbeat of daily life. Families settled near the mills. Businesses emerged. Churches flourished. Baseball teams representing competing mills filled summer evenings with friendly rivalries.

Massey Hill High School, which recently celebrated its centennial, became another gathering place. The anniversary celebration drew alumni from across the country, a testament to the bonds forged decades ago.

“Individuals didn’t just work at the mill, or attend the same school or church, or go to the same stores,” Presnell said. “They were and are family. There is a reason why the 100th anniversary of Massey Hill High School was so well attended. It was a family reunion.”

Visitors attending the upcoming open house will encounter more than historical photographs and artifacts. The home itself has been carefully arranged to recreate everyday life as it would have appeared for a typical mill worker’s family.

Within the house, exhibits highlight several of the area’s textile operations, including Tolar, Hart and Holt Mills, Victory Mill and Lake View Cotton Mill. Rooms have been furnished to reflect the era, offering a tangible connection to a way of life that once touched thousands of residents.

“People will be able to see what these homes looked like and learn about the mills that shaped this community,” Presnell said.

The work of preserving those memories falls largely to the Fayetteville History Museum, whose mission reaches far beyond its downtown location.

“The purpose of the Fayetteville History Museum is to collect and share the stories about our entire community,” Presnell said. “It is an ongoing process that I’m grateful to be a part of.”

Sometimes that work leads to unexpected discoveries.

“Through our collection and research process, we are introduced to some amazing stories and ‘a-ha’ moments that help put the pieces together,” she said. “We hope to collect more of these stories in the near future.”

Those pieces matter because communities are built not only through industry, but through shared experiences and collective memory.

Today, many of the mills are gone, but their legacy remains etched into neighborhoods and family histories. Preserving places like the Massey Hill Mill House ensures that future generations understand the sacrifices, traditions and relationships that helped shape Fayetteville long before modern development transformed the city.

In many ways, the house serves as more than a museum.

It is a reminder that communities are woven together much like the textiles that once came from the mills themselves, thread by thread, story by story and family by family.

The Massey Hill Mill House open house is free and open to the public. For one hour on July 11, visitors will have the opportunity to step back in time and discover how a neighborhood built around industry became something far more enduring: a community bound together by memory. For more information, visit their website at https://www.fayettevillenc.gov/Parks-and-Recreation/Facilities/Fayetteville-History-Museum

(Photo: The Massey Hill Mill House will be open by the Fayetteville History Museum on July 11 for the public to check out a piece of Fayetteville's history.  Photo courtesy of Fayetteville History Musem's Facebook page)