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Regional Briefs: 'Tea party' rally attracts hundreds
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Published: June 7, 2009
Several hundred people turned out yesterday for a "tea party" at Winston Square Park.
It was a follow-up to an April 15 gathering that was part of a nationwide protest against taxes. According to media reports, more than 1,000 people turned out for that rally, but organizers said the turnout was more than 2,000.
Yesterday's rally, which was not tied to a nationwide protest, drew fewer participants, but organizers said they were happy with the turnout. It began at noon and focused on worries about government-controlled health care, individual freedoms, high taxes, media bias, and the need for a small government.
Some protesters stood on Marshall Street holding up signs with slogans such as "Free Markets Not Free Loaders" and "Revolution is Brewing" while waving at motorists. Others listened to music and speakers, including Vernon Robinson, a former member of the Winston-Salem City Council who lost his bid for U.S. Congress in 2006.
"Conservatives typically don't do protests, but we're learning," said Fred Benson, an electrical contractor from Clemmons who was one of the organizers of the rally. He said that members of the North Carolina Tea Party group at ncteaparty.com wanted to have another rally and decided to focus on the health-care debate this time.
Benson said that more tea parties are planned, with the next one possibly on July 4.
Fort Bragg paratroopers in France
FORT BRAGG -- Troops from North Carolina bases are in France this weekend participating in the observance of the 65th anniversary of the D-Day invasion in Normandy.
The three-day observance of the World War II invasion will end today with a mock airborne assault that will include about 40 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg.
Col. Merle D. Hart, the commander of the 440th Airlift Wing at Pope Air Force Base, was invited to place a wreath in the cemetery. The 440th was the wing that dropped paratroopers in the early hours of D-Day on June 6, 1944.
Ocean Isle Beach turns 50 years old
OCEAN ISLE BEACH -- Ocean Isle Beach is celebrating its 50th anniversary this weekend.
Odell Williamson envisioned creating a family vacation island when he bought Ocean Isle Beach for $218,000 in 1953. The next year, Hurricane Hazel destroyed 15 of the 17 properties on the island, and development began again. The town was incorporated five years later.
The celebration began Friday with activities including a community beach picnic. They continued yesterday, with group community photos.
In addition, a book titled The History of Ocean Isle Beach: A Documentary and Pictorial Guide from Pre-History to Present was published this week.
Baghdad Bad Boys performing again
FORT BRAGG -- Nine North Carolina-based soldiers who formed a musical group while deployed to Iraq is performing again now that they have returned home.
The soldiers in the "Baghdad Bad Boys" are members of units in the 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg. A news release from the post said the soldiers combined their musical talents last year.
The group combines country, bluegrass and gospel. It performed a reunion concert yesterday at an Eastern North Carolina church.
Medical units return to Fort Bragg
FORT BRAGG -- After 15 months in Iraq, an Army combat stress unit and a medical support company are coming home.
About 30 soldiers from the 528th Medical Detachment (Combat Stress Control) and 64 soldiers from the 602nd Area Support Medical Company were scheduled to return to Fort Bragg yesterday.
The 528th Medical Detachment provided mental-health care to more than 60,000 soldiers, sailors, and Marines in northern Iraq. The 602nd provided health care and evacuation and medical support for wounded soldiers from Afghanistan.
Both units spent 15 months overseas.
Zoo visitors can offer giraffes leaves
ASHEBORO -- The North Carolina Zoo is giving its visitors a chance to feed its giraffes at eye level.
The zoo's new giraffe feeding platform called Acacia Station opened yesterday.
A $3 ticket will buy visitors a chance to climb the 16-foot high platform to get a view of the giraffes, zebras and ostriches from a whole new angle. Climbers will also be given a leaf to offer to the giraffes if one of them approaches for a snack.
Over the past year, the zoo has brought in four young giraffes. Two are about 1 year old and the other two are about 2 years old. They share the exhibit with Julie, the second oldest giraffe in a North American zoo.
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