On May 25, 2026, a Memorial Day service honoring fallen military heroes was held at Raleigh National Cemetery in Raleigh, North Carolina. A wreath and the American flag were placed at the gravesite of the post’s namesake, World War I veteran Private Charles T. Norwood. Because of inclement weather, the ceremony was moved indoors to Saint Matthew AME Church.
Legionnaire Lloyd Dunn, 2nd Vice Commander, served as host and delivered the opening remarks. Legionnaire Willie Pulley, Post Chaplain, gave the opening prayer, and Mr. David Davis sang the National Anthem.
Guest speaker Patricia A. Harris delivered the Memorial Day address. A combat veteran with more than 22 years of honorable service, she serves as The American Legion National Internal Affairs Chairman and is the founder and executive director of Women Veterans Support Services, Incorporated. She is also the 98th Department Commander of North Carolina, a past commander of Charles T. Norwood American Legion Post 157 in Raleigh, and a 2025 inductee into the NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Hall of Firsts.
Guests included Mr. Orrin R. Haywood of Haywood Funeral Home Inc., Mr. Gary Raiford of VFW 10999, and Mr. Herbert L. Bullock Jr. of Post 1302 in Poughkeepsie, New York. Mrs. Brenda Judd and Mrs. Gail Anderson joined Mr. David Davis in song, and Ms. Teresa Thornton of the ladies Auxiliary Unit, along with family and friends, were alson in attendance.
Post Commander Gabriel Carr presented Certificates of Appreciation to Mr. David Davis and Legionnaire Patricia Harris. The program concluded with closing remarks, a rendition of Lift Every Voice and Sing, the sounding of Taps, and the closing prayer and benediction by Legionnaire Willie Pulley.
We appreciated the fellowship and the meal shared after the service.
Special thanks to sponsors Shaw & Son’s Enterprises LLC, Calton L. Gray Funeral & Cremation Services, and Haywood Funeral Home Inc. for their support and assistance with tent setup.
