Governor McCrory Proclaims August 11, 2013 as Freedom 500 Day in North Carolina | Eastern NC Now

For Immediate Release:

    Raleigh, NC     Governor Pat McCrory has proclaimed August 11, 2013 as Freedom 500 Day in North Carolina.

    The Freedom 500 Team is made up of seven active duty soldiers who are supporting post-9/11 veterans in their transition home. The Freedom team supports Mission Continues, a national nonprofit that awards 6-month community service fellowships for veterans to serve at nonprofits in their communities. The Mission Continues empowers veterans toward a post-fellowship goal of full time employment and/or pursuit of higher education while maintaining a commitment to public service.

    "We must always remember to honor our active duty, wounded and fallen soldiers who have sacrificed to preserve our daily freedoms," said Governor McCrory. "What these servicemen and women are doing this week provides veterans with a path of public service and purpose."

    The team will be running a 500 mile ultra-relay from the Duke University's Campus starting on August 11th with plans to arrive at One World Trade Center, New York City on August 17th. The runners will stop in Washington D.C. for a visit to Walter Reid Medical Center to spend time with fellow heroes followed by a stop at Arlington Cemetery to honor our nation's fallen.

    Read the proclamation here.

    The kickoff event is scheduled in Durham beginning at 1:00pm with live entertainment from the band "Crossover Drive". A ceremonial 5K will begin at 2:00 as local runners team up to send the soldiers off on their journey. Learn more about the ultra-relay and 5K here.


    Contact: Crystal Feldman
      govpress@nc.gov