North Carolina Governor Stein Presents Order of the Long Leaf Pine Honors on Veterans Day, Including Two Montford Point Marines
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein joined North Carolina Central University's Veterans Day observance program in Durham, Durham County, North Carolina, on November 11, 2026, and inducted several people, including five veterans, into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state's civilian honor.
Honorees in attendance included Dr. Tyrone Baines, the university's former chief operating officer and a civil rights activist; Pastor Kenneth Dula, a Vietnam War veteran and Purple Heart recipient; Dr. Stephanie Freeman, former director of the university's Arts and Humanities Program and a U.S. Air Force spouse; and two Montford Point Marines, retired Gunnery Sgt. Henry Grange, a Vietnam War veteran and Congressional Gold Medal recipient, and retired Gunnery Sgt. Robert L. Thomas, a Korean War veteran and Congressional Gold Medal recipient. Stein also honored Oliver Diggs of Lenoir County, a Montford Point Marine and World War II veteran, as a recipient.
"North Carolina's veterans have courageously served our country, and we owe them a debt of gratitude," Stein said. "Today we honor their service, recognize their lasting contributions, and rededicate ourselves to helping veterans and military families build a strong future in our state."
North Carolina is home to more than 600,000 veterans and has the fourth-largest military presence in the nation, including the most populated military base in the country. This week marks one year since Stein and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services launched AskMeNC, an initiative and website that uses the existing NCServes coordination system to connect veterans, service members and their families with health care, housing, benefits navigation, employment, education and family support services.
According to the governor's office, Stein signed an executive order in May directing all cabinet agencies to designate a Military Affairs Coordinator, and last year signed four bills supporting service members and their families, covering professional license transfers for military spouses, remote driver license renewal, public school enrollment and tuition in the University of North Carolina System. Next week, Stein will present the North Carolina Award, the state's highest civilian honor, to six North Carolinians, with ticket proceeds benefiting two charities that serve veterans and military families.
Source: Office of the Governor of North Carolina
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：北卡罗来纳州州长 Josh Stein 官方肖像。北卡罗来纳州州长办公室供图。 / Photo: Official portrait of North Carolina Governor Josh Stein. Courtesy of the Office of the Governor of North Carolina.
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