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He said that the week of May 7-13 designates one week only, which includes May 10t", <br />the official North Carolina Confederate Memorial Day. The flag would be flown beneath the U. <br />S. Flag at the County courthouse in Hillsborough. He said that the people of Orange County <br />have much to be proud of in history. He said that in 1861 men from Orange County rallied to <br />protect their state and their homes from what they believed was an imminent invasion by Union <br />forces. Over 2,000 men from Orange County joined the Confederate army. He said that the <br />descendants of these citizens feel they owe a great deal to encourage the fortitude of these <br />sometimes forgotten people. One way of showing gratitude is to proclaim this Confederate <br />History Week. <br />Steve Brantley is a resident of Orange County and camp commander far the Sons of <br />Confederate Veterans, and he would like the County Commissioners to consider the request to <br />recognize this proposed Confederate History Week proclamation. He also hopes the Board will <br />consider the request to display the North Carolina Period State Flag that existed during the war <br />during this week. He said that the purpose of this request is to acknowledge Orange County's <br />many historical events that occurred during the War Between the States. He is a direct <br />descendant of a confederate soldier from this area, as his great-great grandfather served in the <br />30t" North Carolina regiment in 1861. He said that the primary aim of the Sons of Confederate <br />Veterans' national non-profit organization is to promote the true heritage, honor, and extreme <br />sacrifices of the people that stood up for their homeland during this time. He said that the <br />largest troop surrender was on Orange County land at that time. He thanked the County <br />Commissioners for their time and invited them to attend the upcoming Silent Sam Memorial <br />observance at UNC on May 16t" at 10:00 a.m. <br />Beverly Faster, Chair of Healthy Carolinians of Orange County, said that this group was <br />created in the mid-1990's in a collaborative effort of the County Commissioners, the Health <br />Department, the University, and UNC Healthcare. Since then, it has struggled and grown to <br />become a viable community resource devoted to improving the health of the residents of <br />Orange County. She brought copies of the current State of the County Health Report produced <br />by Health Carolinians and the Orange County Health Department. Using the ten priority issues <br />identified in the 2003 Community Health Assessment as a framework, the report gives amid- <br />cycle update and the activities in the County to address the health needs. The health issues <br />identified in 2003 are still facing them today and she listed them -access to health care, <br />overweight and obesity, substance abuse, mental health services, dental care, cancer, child <br />abuse and neglect, suicide, and unintentional injuries. She said that the report both excites the <br />Healthy Carolinians Council but it has also concerned them and there is much to be done. She <br />invited the County Commissioners and interested citizens to attend their annual meeting on <br />April 25t" from 8:00-10:00 a.m. at the United Church of Chapel Hill. The program will focus on <br />engaging the community in health promotion. <br />David Patterson is a native of Orange County and he spoke about the confederate flag <br />proclamation and Confederate History Week. He said that he is a direct descendant of John <br />Patterson, one of the founders of Orange County, who settled in 1744 on lands along New Hope <br />Creek. John Patterson was his great-great-great-great grandfather. Two of John Patterson's <br />sons served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Tonight he spoke on behalf <br />of Jahn Patterson's great-grandson and his great-grandfather, Robert Donald Patterson, who <br />served in the Army of the Confederate States of America. He said that these men defended <br />their land against an invading army. He said that they did not fight for slavery, but for the rights <br />of sovereign states to govern themselves. He wants to remember and honor these brave men <br />that are so much a part of the history of Orange County by declaring the week of May 7-13 as <br />Confederate History Week. <br />