Governor & First Lady Honor Military Families With Christmas Celebration | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Press Release:

'A Merry Christmas Morning for our Heroes' a Tradition at the McCrory House

    Raleigh, N.C. - The spirit of Christmas was in the air as Governor Pat McCrory and First Lady Ann McCrory celebrated our state's military families earlier today at the Executive Mansion.

    Members of the armed forces and their families from Ft. Bragg; Seymour Johnson Air Force Base; 30th Brigade Combat Team; National Guard; Camp Lejeune; Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune; MCAS New River Jacksonville; Cherry Point; Coast Guard (Elizabeth City and USCG North Carolina in Wilmington); and Electronic Systems Support Detachment Southport gathered at the Mansion for a Christmas reception featuring a Christmas tree ribbon cutting, family photos, Victorian Carolers, Christmas cookies, crafts for children and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The Office of the First Lady teamed up with USO of North Carolina, Support Military Spouses and the National Guard for the event.

    "Today's reception is an opportunity for us to express firsthand our gratitude and admiration for service men and women and the sacrifices their families make on behalf of our country," Governor and First Lady McCrory said. "It is humbling to be surrounded by these brave families at Christmastime, when so many military personnel are stationed halfway around the world, protecting us and our precious freedom. Their perseverance and continual sacrifice does not go unnoticed."

    General Cornell Wilson, the governor's military affairs adviser, also addressed the service members and their families before introducing Governor McCrory and Mrs. McCrory. This is the second year the two have hosted a Christmas reception for military families from throughout the state.

    The First Family admired Christmas ornaments decorated by military families from all throughout North Carolina on the military appreciation Christmas tree in the sunroom. The USO of North Carolina, National Guard and Support Military Spouses arranged the ornament collection. Ornaments from each base in the state made their way onto the tree. The party also featured chances for children to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as coloring stations and Christmas cookies.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov