“Supporters of North Carolina’s heritage, and in particular, of the role the state played during the War Between the States, can be very grateful to Rep. Gary Pendleton (R-Wake County) for his intercession with Governor Pat McCrory concerning the continuation of the flying of the First National Confederate Flag atop of the historic (1840) State Capitol on three special days during the year: Lee’s Birthday (in January), Confederate Flag Day (in March) and Confederate Memorial Day (May 10).
For twenty-eight consecutive years our flags have flown over the Capitol those three days, in line with the 1961 Resolution of the N.C. General Assembly that recommended the display of those symbols of our heritage. This year there was some initial doubt if the flags would fly. Rep. Pendleton intervened at the request of the North Carolina Sons of Confederate Veterans and asked Governor McCrory if he would act. McCrory did act, and asked the officials of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources who are responsible for the State Capitol to fly the flags on those days. And we are very pleased to report that, thanks to Rep. Pendleton and Governor McCrory, the flags will fly.
North Carolina is the last state in the Union where our flags continue to fly over the State Capitol. But the message must be that we continue to be vigilant. In the meantime, we thank our friends for their prompt action in preserving the symbols of our heritage.”