The Friends of the Archives held their annual meeting on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources building auditorium, Raleigh, NC. Commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the Founding of the Armed Forces. The Friends of the Archives is a non-profit organization that privately funds some of the services, activities, and programs of the State Archives of North Carolina, not provided by state-appropriated funding. The State Archives serves as the custodian of North Carolina's historical records, preserving and providing public access to a wealth of archival materials. State archivists will explore the Archive’s military records from the Revolutionary War era to the 20th century. Gabriel Carr, Commander of Charles T. Norwood, American Legion Post #157, the first African American post in Wake County, will give the keynote address. The program, titled For the Brave: Armed Forces Records at the State Archives of North Carolina, featured presentations on military records from the Revolutionary War through the 20th century. Speakers included: President George Thomas, Treasurer David Serxner, and Member-at-Large Josh Hager (Moderator). Gabriel Carr, Commander of the Charles T. Norwood American Legion Post #157—the first African American post in Wake County—delivered the keynote address. Additional presentations included Alison Thurman’s Finding Revolutionary Ancestors in the Archives and Ashley Latta Post’s The Elmer Gibson Collection and Integration in the Korean War. President George Thomas Treasurer David Serxner Member-at-Large Josh Hager (Moderator) Gabriel Carr, Commander of the Charles T. Norwood American Legion Post #157—the first African American post in Wake County—delivered the keynote address. Alison Thurman’s Finding Revolutionary Ancestors in the Archives Ashley Latta Post’s The Elmer Gibson Collection and Integration in the Korean War.

 

 

Commander Gabriel Carr preparing to give the Keynote address to the Friends of the Archives audience.

 

 

Commander Gabriel Carr still preparing to give the Keynote address to the Friends of the Archives audience. With Past Post Commander James Langston and Mrs Geneva Langston, Post 157 Auxiliary Unit Vice President in attendance.

 

Friends of the Archives President George Thomas gave the opening remarks.

 

Friends of the Archives Treasurer David Serxner gave the ffinancial report

 

David Serxner, Past Post Commander James Langston and Mrs Geneva Langston and Commander Gabriel Carr taking a picture of the Post Historian James Whitaker.

 

Post Historian James Whitaker, photo taken by Commander Gabriel Carr.

 

Josh Hager (Moderator) introduces Commander Gabriel Carr as the keynote address speaker.

 

First we have to have a selfie.

 

That selfie at a different angle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raleigh National Cemetery (brothers)

 

Friends of the Archives display table

 

Post Commander Gabriel Carr, Mrs. Cheryl C. Williams works with The Historic Turner House Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, is an extension of 10 years’ experience of telling the stories of the Villagers of Historic Oberlin Village in Raleigh, NC. This Oberlin Road estate The Historic Turner House holds an untold piece of Raleigh’s Black history still being uncovered by fifth-generation owner Cheryl C. Williams and Post Commander James Langston.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preparing for the ceremony incoming Post Commander Gabriel Carr, Installing Officer Legionnaire Patricia Harris and retiring Post Commander James Langston. Taking Oath of Office L to R: Charles Whitaker, 1st Vice Commander, Lloyd Dunn, 2nd Vice Commander. Reelected Officers: Michael Parrott, Finance Officer, Willie Pulley, Chaplain, Michael Shaw, Parliamentarian Commander Gabriel Carr, conducted her 1st Invitation Ceremony.

 

 

 

 

David Serxner, Past Post Commander James Langston and Mrs Geneva Langston

 

Presentation given by Alison Thurman Finding Revolutionary Ancestors in the state Archives of NC

 

Presentation given by Ashley Latta Post, The Elmer Gibson Collection, Desegregation in the Armed Forces and Integration in the Korean War.

 

Executive Order: Desegregation in the Armed Forces

 

Questions and Answering time.

 

David Serxner answering questions from the audience.

 

Mrs. Cheryl C. Williams asking question to the speakers.

 

Selfie with Commander Gabriel Carr and Past Post Commander James Langston.

 

Post Commander Gabriel Carr, Ms. Alison Thurman, Ms. Ashley Latta Post and Mr. Josh Hager.

 

Post Historian James Whitaker, Post Commander Gabriel Carr, Past Post Commander James Langston and Mrs. Geneva Langston.

 

 

For the Brave Armed Forces

 

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