N.C. Guard Hosts Sign Unveiling

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Air Force Brig. Gen. Iwan B. Clontz, assistant adjutant general for Air, North Carolina National Guard, speaks during a joint-forces unveiling ceremony for the new "Welcome to North Carolina" signs.

RALEIGH, NC (10/26/2010)(readMedia)-- The North Carolina National Guard hosted the North Carolina Bankers Association and the North Carolina Department of Transportation in the unveiling of the new "Welcome to North Carolina" signs for Interstate 95, Interstate 85, and Highway 17 today at the North Carolina National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters here.

The new signs, which were funded by North Carolina's banks and savings associations, name the state as the "Nation's Most Military Friendly State."

"Five signs welcoming travelers to North Carolina as the 'Nation's Most Military Friendly State' will be placed on Interstate 95 and U.S. highway 17 at the state's borders with Virginia and South Carolina, and on Interstate 85 at the border with Virginia," said Larry Barbour, President and CEO of North State Bank in Raleigh.

"In recognition of the significant role of the armed services in our state's economy and in support of the dedicated men and women stationed in North Carolina who serve in our nation's defense, the member banks of the North Carolina Bankers Association provided the funds necessary to produce and erect the signs that are being announced today," added Barbour, who is also the chairman of the North Carolina Bankers Association.

Present at the unveiling ceremony was N.C. Secretary of Commerce J. Keith Crisco; Secretary of N.C. Department of Transportation Gene Conti; Air Force Brig. Gen. Iwan B. Clontz, assistant adjutant general for Air, North Carolina National Guard; Army Col. Stephen J. Sicinski, Fort Bragg garrison commander; Air Force Col. Craig A. Berlette, 43rd Airlift Wing Vice Commander; and Coast Guard Cmdr. Derek D'Orazio, Logistics Department Head. Servicemembers from the Coast Guard, Air Force, Army, Marines, and the North Carolina National Guard were in attendance.

For queries, contact the North Carolina National Guard Public Affairs Office at pao@ng.army.mil or by phone at (919) 664-6242. For more NCNG news, visit our website: www.nc.ngb.army.mil/.