History

Civil rights documentary to air in Wilmington

Submitted by Heather Setzler, Executive Producer, Theater/Arts Reporter

Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 5:41pm

Civil rights documentary to air in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - A civil rights documentary is showing in Wilmington for one night only.

Kimberly McLaughlin-Smith, who works in the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion at UNCW, is helping host a screening of Free Angela and All Political Prisoners at Carmike Cinemas.

It's about Angela Davis, a University of California philosophy professor, who became a civil rights activist icon in the late 1960's.

The movie starts at 7:00p.m. on Thursday, May 16, and there will be a discussion on civil rights afterwards.

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Civil War battle will be remembered in Wilmington this weekend

Submitted by Bob Townsend, Co-host of Carolina in the Morning

Thursday, February 7th, 2013, 2:44pm

This weekend, a battle that took place late in the war will be remembered on the actual battlefield where the troops met, located in the heart of the city.

WILMINGTON,
NC (WECT) - Historians say the movie Lincoln has
renewed an interest in the War Between the States. This weekend, a battle
that took place late in the war will be remembered on the actual battlefield
where the troops met, located in the heart of the city.

With
the fall of Fort Fisher in January, 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee
knew the end of the Civil War was near. Union troops began their march
towards Wilmington, the last life line to his troops.

But
during their march to the city, the men in blue encountered gun and artillery
fire from loyal confederates, led by Captain Robert Hoke, in an area about
three miles from the port. It is known as the Battle of Forks Road.
Civil War historian Chris Fonvielle says it was a brief but a significant
skirmish.

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Local man's family reunited with lost war artifacts

Submitted by T.J. Parker, WECT Intern

Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012, 5:51pm

Local man's family reunited with lost war artifacts

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – A local man’s family was reunited Thursday with dog tag that the man had lost after returning to the states after serving in Vietnam.

Thirty years ago, U.S. Army veteran Richard Wiler lost his dog tag during a combat mission in Vietnam and today his sons Andrew and Jeff Wiler recieved them in a ceremony held at the Cape Fear Community College. Other veterans joined the family in accepting a token from the war veteran's past.

Jeff Wiler said, "I don't think he had the pride because when he came back no one really accepted Vietnam for what it was," when asked about how his father would have reacted if he were alive today.

Wiler's grandson, Caleb, honored the veteran by playing the National Anthem. Caleb never had the chance to meet his grandfather but says this is a token he too can share with his family.

During Wiler's time in the war, he was wounded and was awarded two Purple Heart medals.

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Nursing home takes a step back in time

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director

Thursday, May 17th, 2012, 9:32am

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Residents at Trinity Grove Nursing Facility in Monkey Junction are going back in time this week.

The facility gathered various artifacts and set up a museum each day representing different decades in history. Monday their exhibit was of the 20s, Tuesday the 30s, Wednesday the 40s and Thursday they will celebrate the 50s.

Staff will dress up in period attire, complete with poodle skirts. They even have restored cars that will be at the nursing facility Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon.

Family members of residents of the facility are pleased that Trinity Grove are creating a “lively and cheerful place for our elders to receive the care they need in an environment unlike most facilities.”

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