Semiquincentennial Independence Day Ceremony

July 4, 2026

North Carolina State Capitol

Welcome

Pamela B. Cashwell, Secretary, N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

Posting of the Colors*

N.C. American Legion, Post 116

Invocation

Robert Carter, Veterans of Foreign Wars, District 7

Pledge of Allegiance*

Rae Norman, Student

I pledge Allegiance to the flag

of the United States of America

and to the Republic, for which it stands,

one nation, under God, indivisible,

with Liberty and Justice for all.

National Anthem

SSG Kiari Mhoon, 82nd Airborne Division Band and Chorus

Flyover

North Carolina Army National Guard

Introduction of Governor Stein

McKinley Wooten, Jr., Secretary, N.C. Department of Revenue

Keynote Address

Governor Josh Stein

Reading from the Declaration of Independence

Dr. Darin Waters, Deputy Secretary, Office of Archives and History

Closing Remarks

DNCR Secretary Pamela Cashwell

Retiring of the Colors*

North Carolina Society of the Sons of the American Revolution 

Wreath Laying (South Plaza)

Sons of the American Revolution and  Daughters of the American Revolution 

“Taps”

Raleigh Concert Band

*All persons able will stand

Special thanks to:

N.C. American Legion, Post 116

82nd Airborne Division Band and Chorus

North Carolina Army National Guard

CW3 John Reitmann

CW3 Darius Jenkins

CW5 John Jauinger

WO1 Brendan Cullura

CW4 Derek Williams

WO1 Brittany Cushine

COL James Bond

CPT Celia Hendry

MAJ Bray Harvey

The Raleigh Concert Band

Veterans of Foreign Wars, District 7

Sons of the American Revolution

The Interpreter Network