Pledge of Allegiance for April 22-26 – Plus the History of Iron Mike

Let me take you back to when I was a little boy.  My Dad was serving in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Pope Air Force Base at the time, now Pope Army Airfield.  Once a month and always on Saturday, the family would pile into the car and off we would go.  One of the highlights of the journey from my hometown of Bladenboro to Fayetteville was getting to see the Iron Mike statue.  Back then, Iron Mike's home was on Bragg Boulevard at the entrance to Fort Liberty.  That's same statue now stands at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville.  Also, an exact replica of Iron Mike proudly stands on Fort Liberty at the intersection of Stiner Road and R. Miller Street.

As big of a fan as I am of Iron Mike, I only recently found out that it was actually a real soldier that the statue was based on.  In 1960, Sgt. Major James Runyon posed for Leah Hiebert, the sculptor of Iron Mike.  Sgt. Major Runyon served in the Vietnam War, in Korea and also served during the second World War.

If you're wondering, the Iron Mike statue at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville stands a little over 16 feet tall and weighs over 3,200 pounds.

Let me invite you to historic downtown Fayetteville, North Carolina.  There is so much to see and do including Iron Mike and the Airborne and Special Operations Museum.  Admission is free.  Donations are accepted and appreciated.

April 22 2024 Aubrey Locklear at Class Charter in Whiteville

April 23 2024 Aubrey at Eastover Central Elementary School

April 24 2024 Brailey Smith at Gallberry Farms Elementary School

April 25 2024 Ayden at Eastover Central Elementary School

KML is proud to support the Red, White and Blue, and presents the Pledge of Allegiance daily thanks to our partners at Central Electric Membership Corporation. Check here to see all of our Pledge archive.

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The weather is warming up and that means it's time to get outside to some of the North Carolina berry festivals! Our state has no shortage of fun stuff to enjoy during the spring and summer and a long, rich history with farming and agriculture. The merging of those two results in a berry good time!

North Carolina and blueberries go back pretty far. According to the North Carolina History Project " In North Carolina, blueberries are the highest-ranked fruit crop and overall, the 16th-ranked commodity for the state. In 2008 North Carolina produced 28.5 million pounds of blueberries, an estimated $50 million in value. With roughly 9.2% of the 2009 blueberry production in the United States, North Carolina is the 6th largest producer of blueberries in the nation.

Annual blueberry harvests occur mainly during June and July. Although blueberries are native to North American soil, they were first planted in North Carolina in 1936. Blueberries are sweet in taste and rich in fiber and Vitamin C. The fruit also has the highest antioxidant level of any fruit. The blueberry has been commonly referred to as a “superfruit” because of its many health benefits."

However, let's not sleep on strawberries! Strawberries are one of the most consumed fruits in the world. In 2009, North Carolina farmers harvested 1,500 acres — or 19.5 million pounds — of strawberries and produced nearly $20.5 million in value for the state. These numbers put North Carolina as the 3rd largest producer of the heart-shaped fruit. The Tar Heel State trails only California and Florida.

Strawberries are annually harvested in the late spring and early summer, usually from mid-April to early June. Although there are many varieties of strawberries, three are commonly grown in North Carolina: Camarosa, Chandler, and Sweet Charlie. Like blueberries, strawberries are an excellent source of Vitamin C and rich in fiber and antioxidants. They are also a great source of vitamin K, vitamin B, and folic acid.

While we are at it, the humble blackberry deserves some press as well. A true North Carolina fruit, the blackberry is either native to North Carolina or were introduced very early to the state. Native Americans have been enjoying wild blackberries for thousands of years, and the early European settlers also consumed blackberries fresh, dried, and as preserves.

So, we celebrate these delicious, healthy berries in the best way possible, with some North Carolina berry festivals, of course!

White Hill Farms Strawberries & Produce is hosting a strawberry festival in Moore County on May 4th this year.  Antique Tractors will be on display along with wagon rides for the whole family, plus local vendors and food trucks.

North Carolina's oldest running agricultural festival! Hosted the first weekend in May in Chadbourn.  Celebrating its 91st anniversary this year, the schedule is jam packed with so many fun and delicious things to do!

Learn more here.

Not only does the NC Blueberry Festival celebrate all things blueberry, this year they are adding a Whole Hog Cook Off! Also featuring a car & truck show, live music and all the blueberries your heart desires.

More information here.

The North Carolina Blackberry Festival is a celebration of blackberries, cobbler, and fun! Held in Lenoir, North Carolina, the festival offers tons of family-friendly events. There's free music, kid's activities, and a blackberry-eating contest.  This is the festival's 21st anniversary and they are celebrating with the Little Miss Blackberry Pageant, live music and more! Be sure to register for the blackberry pie eating contest! 

More information here.