§ 103-1. [Repealed]

Repealed by Session Laws 1951, c. 73.

§ 103-2. Method of take when hunting on Sunday.

  1. Any landowner or member of the landowner’s family, or any person with written permission from the landowner, may, subject to rules established by the Wildlife Resources Commission, hunt wild animals and upland game birds with the use of firearms on Sunday on the landowner’s property, except that all of the following limitations apply:
    1. Hunting on Sunday between 9:30 A.M. and 12:30 P.M. is prohibited, except on controlled hunting preserves licensed pursuant to G.S. 113-273(g).
    2. Repealed by Session Laws 2017-182, s. 1, effective July 25, 2017.
    3. The use of a firearm to take deer that are run or chased by dogs on Sunday is prohibited.
    4. Hunting on Sunday within 500 yards of a place of religious worship, as defined by G.S. 14-54.1(b) , or any accessory structure thereof, is prohibited.
    5. Repealed by Session Laws 2017-182, s. 1, effective July 25, 2017. (a1) Any person may, subject to rules established by the Wildlife Resources Commission, hunt wild animals and upland game birds with the use of firearms on Sunday on public lands of the State managed for hunting, except that the following limitations apply:

      (1) Hunting on Sunday between 9:30 A.M. and 12:30 P.M. is prohibited.

      (2) The use of a firearm to take deer that are run or chased by dogs on Sunday is prohibited.

      (3) Hunting on Sunday within 500 yards of a place of religious worship, as defined by G.S. 14-54.1(b) , or any accessory structure thereof, is prohibited.

      (a2) The hunting of migratory birds on Sunday is prohibited unless authorized by proclamation or rules of the Wildlife Resources Commission, subject to the following limitations:

      (1) Hunting on Sunday between 9:30A.M. and 12:30 P.M. is prohibited, except on controlled hunting preserves licensed pursuant to G.S. 113-273(g).

      (2) Hunting on Sunday within 500 yards of a place of religious worship, as defined by G.S. 14-54.1(b), or any accessory structure thereof, is prohibited.

      (3) The Wildlife Resources Commission shall not authorize hunting of migratory birds on Sunday prior to March 1, 2018.

  2. A person who hunts on Sunday in a manner prohibited under this section or rules adopted by the Wildlife Resources Commission shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. Provided, that the provisions of this section are not applicable to military reservations, the jurisdiction of which is exclusively in the federal government, to field trials authorized by the Wildlife Resources Commission, or to actions taken in defense of a person’s property. Wildlife protectors are granted authority to enforce the provisions of this section.

History. 1868-9, c. 18, ss. 1, 2; Code, s. 3783; Rev., s. 3842; C.S., s. 3956; 1945, c. 1047; 1967, c. 1003; 1979, c. 830, s. 13; 1989, c. 642, s. 3; 1993, c. 539, s. 684; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 2015-144, s. 5(a); 2017-182, s. 1.

Local Modification.

Perquimans: 1935, c. 145.

Editor’s Note.

Session Laws 2017-182, s. 2, provides: “The Wildlife Resources Commission shall complete a study that includes, but is not limited to, examining biological and resource management impacts, economic impacts, and social impacts associated with hunting migratory birds on Sunday. The Wildlife Resources Commission shall submit its findings to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the chair or chairs of the House Committee on Wildlife Resources no later than March 1, 2018.”

Effect of Amendments.

Session Laws 2015-144, s. 5(a), effective October 1, 2015, rewrote the section.

Session Laws 2017-182, s. 1, effective July 25, 2017, substituted “may, subject to rules established by the Wildlife Resources Commission, hunt wild animals and upland game birds” for “may hunt” in the introductory paragraph of subsection (a); deleted subdivisions (a)(2) and (a)(5); added subsections (a1) and (a2); and substituted “this section or rules adopted by the Wildlife Resources Commission” for “subsection (a) of this section” in the first sentence of subsection (b).

CASE NOTES

Indictment Must State That Act Was Committed on Sunday. —

An indictment for an act which is criminal when committed on a Sunday must state that the act in question was committed on a Sunday; but if it does so, no exception can be taken to it for reference to the same day by a wrong day of the month. State v. Drake, 64 N.C. 589 , 1870 N.C. LEXIS 189 (1870).

Sufficiency of Indictment. —

Under the former reading of the section, a conviction was sustainable under an indictment charging the defendant with being “found off his premises on the Sabbath day, having with him a shotgun, contrary to the form of the statute,” etc. State v. Howard, 67 N.C. 24 , 1872 N.C. LEXIS 160 (1872).

Reference to “Sabbath” in Indictment. —

It was immaterial that the indictment used the expression “the Sabbath” instead of “Sunday.” State v. Drake, 64 N.C. 589 , 1870 N.C. LEXIS 189 (1870).

§ 103-3. Execution of process on Sunday.

It shall be lawful for any sheriff or other lawful officer to execute any summons, capias, or other process on Sunday.

History. 1957, c. 1052; 1973, c. 108, s. 47.

CASE NOTES

Sunday is not a judicial day; hence an adjournment of the court from Saturday night to Monday morning during the progress of a trial for murder is not violative of the act requiring the adjournment to be “from day to day.” State v. Howard, 82 N.C. 623 , 1880 N.C. LEXIS 317 (1880).

When Court May Sit on Sunday. —

There have been some instances in the judicial proceedings in this State where the courts have held their sessions on Sunday, but the cases are rare, and whenever it has been done, exception has generally been taken to the course of the court, upon the ground that it could not legally sit on that day. But the Supreme Court has held that in special cases ex necessitate the court might sit on Sunday. State v. Ricketts, 74 N.C. 187 , 1876 N.C. LEXIS 47 (1876); State v. McGimsey, 80 N.C. 377 , 1879 N.C. LEXIS 102 (1879); State v. Howard, 82 N.C. 623 , 1880 N.C. LEXIS 317 (1880).

Term of Court Embraces Sunday. —

When a term of court is set by statute to begin on a certain Monday, and to last for “one week” (or two or three weeks, as the case may be), it embraces the Sunday of each week (unless sooner adjourned), and the term expires by limitation at midnight of that day. Taylor v. Ervin, 119 N.C. 274 , 25 S.E. 875, 1896 N.C. LEXIS 270 (1896).

Verdict of Jury and Judgment. —

A verdict entered on the Sunday of a week set for the duration of a court, in the absence of an earlier adjournment, is legally entered. Taylor v. Ervin, 119 N.C. 274 , 25 S.E. 875, 1896 N.C. LEXIS 270 (1896).

There being no inhibition of a verdict rendered on Sunday, either at common law or by statute, a judgment entered on that day (by virtue of the statute, that it shall be entered up at once on the verdict) is valid. Taylor v. Ervin, 119 N.C. 274 , 25 S.E. 875, 1896 N.C. LEXIS 270 (1896).

The rendition by the jury of a verdict on Sunday is not invalid for that cause. Tuttle v. Tuttle, 146 N.C. 484 , 59 S.E. 1008, 1907 N.C. LEXIS 76 (1907).

§ 103-4. Dates of public holidays.

  1. The following are declared to be legal public holidays:
    1. New Year’s Day, January 1.

      (1a) Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, Birthday, the third Monday in January.

    2. Robert E. Lee’s Birthday, January 19.
    3. Washington’s Birthday, the third Monday in February.

      (3a) Greek Independence Day, March 25.

    4. Anniversary of signing of Halifax Resolves, April 12.
    5. Confederate Memorial Day, May 10.
    6. Anniversary of Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, May 20.
    7. Memorial Day, the last Monday in May.
    8. Good Friday.
    9. Independence Day, July 4.
    10. Labor Day, the first Monday in September.

      (10a) First Responders Day, September 11.

    11. Columbus Day, the second Monday in October.

      (11a) Yom Kippur.

    12. Veterans Day, November 11.
    13. Tuesday after the first Monday in November in years in which a general election is to be held.
    14. Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November.
    15. Christmas Day, December 25.
  2. Whenever any public holiday shall fall upon Sunday, the Monday following shall be a public holiday.

History. 1881, c. 294; Code, s. 3784; 1891, c. 58; 1899, c. 410; 1901, c. 25; Rev., s. 2838; 1907, c. 996; 1909, c. 888; 1919, c. 287; C.S., s. 2959; 1935, c. 212; 1959, c. 1011; 1969, c. 521; 1973, c. 53; 1979, c. 84; 1981, c. 135; 1983, c. 1; 1987, c. 25, s. 1; c. 851, ss. 1, 2; c. 853, s. 2; 2017-57, s. 16B.6.

Editor’s Note.

Session Laws 2007-450, provides in the preamble: “Whereas, June 19, 1865, is considered the date when the last enslaved Americans were notified of their new legal status by General Gordon Granger, who arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order Number Three almost two and one-half years after President Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation; and

“Whereas, former slaves in Texas began to observe June 19 as the anniversary of their emancipation and coined the term ‘Juneteenth’; and

“Whereas, Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States and is also known as ‘Juneteenth National Freedom Day,’ ‘Emancipation Day,’ ‘Emancipation Celebration,’ ‘Freedom Day,’ ‘Jun-Jun,’ ‘Juneteenth Independence Day’; and

“Whereas, Juneteenth commemorates the survival, due to God-given strength and determination, of African-Americans through extreme adversity, hardship, and triumph; and

“Whereas, Americans of all colors, creeds, cultures, religions, and countries of origin share in a common love of and respect for freedom, as well as the determination to protect their right to freedom through the democratic institutions by which the tenets of freedom are guaranteed and protected; and

“Whereas, the nineteenth of June, along with the fourth of July, completes the cycle of freedom for Americans’ Independence Day observance; and

“Whereas, Juneteenth is recognized as a state holiday or state holiday observance in many states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Delaware, Idaho, Alaska, Iowa, California, Wyoming, Missouri, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Colorado, Arkansas, Oregon, Kentucky, Michigan, New Mexico, Virginia, Washington, and Tennessee; Now, therefore, ”

Session Laws 2007-450, s. 1, provides: “When Juneteenth National Freedom Day or a substantially similar holiday becomes a nationally recognized holiday, the General Assembly shall recognize the nineteenth day of June each year as Juneteenth National Freedom Day, to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States and to demonstrate racial reconciliation and healing from the legacy of slavery.”

Effect of Amendments.

Session Laws 2017-57, s. 16B.6, effective July 1, 2017, added subdivision (a)(10a).

CASE NOTES

This section relates to statewide public holidays. Hardbarger v. Deal, 258 N.C. 31 , 127 S.E.2d 771, 1962 N.C. LEXIS 622 (1962).

Effect of Legal Holiday Generally. —

The statute declaring certain days public holidays does not prohibit the pursuit of the usual avocations of citizens, nor keep public officers or the courts from exercising their respective functions on those days. While it might be that the attendance of jurors, witnesses and suitors will not be enforced, and the courts will not sue out or enforce process on such days, yet the courts may lawfully proceed with the business before them. State v. Moore, 104 N.C. 743 , 10 S.E. 183, 1889 N.C. LEXIS 269 (1889).

The section simply declares that certain days therein specified, in each year, shall be public holidays, and the following section prescribes when papers coming due on such days, or on Sunday, shall be payable. It does not purport, in terms or effect, to prohibit persons from pursuing their usual avocations on such days, nor is there any inhibition upon public officers to exercise their offices, respectively, or upon the courts to sit on such days and exercise their functions and authority. There is no such statutory inhibition; nor, indeed, is there any, except such as may arise in the application of general principles of law. It has never been understood to be the law in this State that a public holiday is dies non juridicus, except perhaps to a limited extent; it is very certainly not wholly so. The courts, particularly the superior courts, very frequently sit on such days and hear and try causes and dispatch the business that ordinarily comes before them, especially when there is no objection. State v. Moore, 104 N.C. 743 , 10 S.E. 183, 1889 N.C. LEXIS 269 (1889).

Closing of County Clerk’s Office on Easter Monday. —

Where a county clerk’s office was closed on Easter Monday, pursuant to resolution by the board of county commissioners in which Easter Monday was designated a holiday, a plaintiff, if otherwise entitled to commence an action on Easter Monday was entitled to commence the action on the next day the courthouse was open for business. Hardbarger v. Deal, 258 N.C. 31 , 127 S.E.2d 771, 1962 N.C. LEXIS 622 (1962).

Judicial Notice That Certain Days Were Sundays or Public Holidays. —

The court would take judicial notice of the fact that September 2, 1962, the last day of the two-year period beginning with the death of the plaintiff’s intestate, was Sunday and that the following day was the first Monday in September, a public holiday. The action was instituted on September 4, 1962, by the issuance of summons and, therefore, was instituted within the time allowed by law. Kinlaw v. Norfolk S. Ry., 269 N.C. 110 , 152 S.E.2d 329, 1967 N.C. LEXIS 1031 (1967).

Deposition Opened on Holiday. —

A legal holiday has not the same status in respect to legal proceedings as a Sunday; and while depositions opened on the latter day are void, they are not so when they are opened on a legal holiday. Latta v. Catawba Elec. Co., 146 N.C. 285 , 59 S.E. 1028, 1907 N.C. LEXIS 44 (1907).

Effect on Foreclosure Upset Period and Filing of Bankruptcy. —

Bankruptcy court found that because March 25 was Greek Independence Day and was a holiday under G.S. 103-4(3a), the 10-day upset period had not expired under G.S. 45-21.27(a) when the debtor filed bankruptcy after the close of business on March 25, which would otherwise have been the 10th day; thus, the bankruptcy court vacated its prior order granting the creditors relief from the automatic stay. In re Country Lake Enters., 284 B.R. 223, 2002 Bankr. LEXIS 1161 (Bankr. E.D.N.C. 2002).

§ 103-5. Acts to be done on Sunday or holidays.

  1. Except as otherwise provided by law, when the day or the last day for doing any act required or permitted by law to be performed in a public office or courthouse falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday when the public office or courthouse is closed for transactions, the act may be performed on the next day that the public office or courthouse is open for transactions.
  2. This section does not apply where the act required or permitted by law to be done is prescribed by Section 22 of Article II, or Section 5(11) of Article III, of the Constitution of North Carolina.

History. Code, ss. 3784, 3785, 3786; 1899, c. 733, s. 194; Rev., s. 2839; C.S., s. 3960; 1951, c. 1176, s. 1; 1995, c. 20, s. 16; 2003-337, s. 1.

Cross References.

As to computing time when last day falls on Sunday, see G.S. 1-593 and G.S. 1A-1 , Rule 6(a).

As to closing county clerk’s office on Easter Monday, see note to G.S. 103-4 .

Editor’s Note.

Session Laws 1995, c. 20, s. 16, became effective with respect to bills and joint resolutions passed in either house of the General Assembly on or after January 1, 1997, if constitutional amendments proposed by Session Laws 1995, c. 5, ss. 1 and 2 were approved. These amendments were approved.

Legal Periodicals.

For article, “Ultimate Discrimination?: Sunday Play, Sports Schedules, and Evaluating the Effectiveness of Anti-Discrimination Laws,” see 97 N.C.L. Rev. 933 (2019).

CASE NOTES

The institution of a suit is an act “required or permitted to be done in the courthouse” within the meaning of this section. Hardbarger v. Deal, 258 N.C. 31 , 127 S.E.2d 771, 1962 N.C. LEXIS 622 (1962).

§ 103-6. Arbor Week.

The week in March of each year containing March 15 is hereby designated as Arbor Week in North Carolina.

History. 1967, c. 39.

§ 103-7. American Family Day.

The first Sunday in August of each year is designated as American Family Day in North Carolina.

History. 1979, c. 457.

§ 103-8. Indian solidarity week.

The last full week in September of each year is designated as Indian solidarity week in North Carolina.

History. 1981, c. 769.

§ 103-9. Prisoner of War Day.

The ninth of April of each year is designated as Prisoner of War Recognition Day.

History. 1989, c. 428, s. 1.

§ 103-10. Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

The seventh of December of each year is designated as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in North Carolina.

History. 1991, c. 175, s. 1.

§ 103-11. Disability History and Awareness Month.

The month of October of each year is designated as Disability History and Awareness Month in North Carolina.

History. 2007-274, s. 1.

Editor’s Note.

Session Laws 2007-274 provides in the preamble: “Whereas, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 was founded on four principles: inclusion, full participation, economic self-sufficiency, and equality of opportunity for all people with disabilities; and

“Whereas, the United States Census Bureau reported in 2000 that there were 1,117,577 people with disabilities in the State of North Carolina out of a total population of 8,046,485; and

“Whereas, most families are likely to become affected by someone with some kind of disability; and

“Whereas, the National Center for Education Statistics reported that during the 2003-2004 school year, North Carolina served 193,956 students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; and

“Whereas, research has shown that students with disabilities encounter more difficulty fitting in with their peers, making friends, and becoming involved in school and community-based activities and clubs than their nondisabled peers; and

“Whereas, in order to ensure the full inclusion of people with disabilities into society, it is necessary to expand the public’s knowledge, awareness, and understanding of the history of disabilities and the disability rights movement; and

“Whereas, October is recognized nationally as Disability Employment Awareness Month; and

“Whereas, designating Disability History and Awareness Month in North Carolina will increase public awareness and respect for people with disabilities who comprise a substantial percentage of North Carolina’s population, teach future generations that people with disabilities have a rich history and have made valuable contributions throughout North Carolina and the United States, and ensure future generations understand that disability is a natural part of life and that people with disabilities have a right to be treated as individuals above all else; Now, therefore,”

Session Laws 2007-274, s. 3, provides that the constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina are encouraged to conduct and promote activities that provide education, awareness, and understanding of disability history, people with disabilities, and the disability rights movement.

Session Laws 2007-274, s. 4, provides that nothing in this act shall require the General Assembly to appropriate funds to implement it or require a local school administrative unit to spend additional funds to implement it. The provisions of this act are not intended to create a burden, financial or otherwise for public schools, teachers, or State institutions of higher learning.

§ 103-12. Organ Donation Awareness/Donate Life Month.

The month of April of each year is designated as Organ Donation Awareness/Donate Life Month in North Carolina.

History. 2013-22, s. 1.

Editor’s Note.

Session Laws 2013-22, s. 3, made this section effective April 9, 2013.

Session Laws 2013-22, in its preamble, provides: “Whereas, according to the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS), more than 116,000 people are waiting for organ transplants nationally, and more than 3,500 of those people are in North Carolina; and

“Whereas, an average of 18 people awaiting transplants die each day due to the severe shortage of donated organs; and

“Whereas, every 10 minutes another name is added to the national transplant waiting list; and

“Whereas, one organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people and improve the lives of up to 50 people through tissue and cornea donation; and

“Whereas, North Carolinians are encouraged to get the facts about donation through Donate Life NC’s Web site and discuss their wishes with their families; and

“Whereas, the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles plays a critical role in maintaining the North Carolina State donor registry, with 99% of donors having registered when receiving their North Carolina drivers license or ID card, which are identified by the symbol of a red heart; and

“Whereas, the State’s Donor registry is the sixth largest registry in the country with 4.3 million North Carolinians having registered with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles or through Donate Life NC’s online registry; and

“Whereas, the State of North Carolina joins Donate Life NC, our State’s organ recovery agencies, Carolina Donor Services, The North Carolina Eye Bank, LifeShare Of The Carolinas, health care professionals, volunteers, educators, government agencies, faith-based and community groups, and private organizations in an effort to boost the numbers of organ, tissue, eye, blood, bone marrow, and stem cell donors throughout North Carolina; Now, therefore”.

Session Laws 2013-22, s. 2, provides: “This act shall be known as ‘Duffy’s Law.’ ”

§ 103-13. Fragile X Awareness Day.

The twenty-second of July of each year is designated as North Carolina Fragile X Awareness Day.

History. 2013-238, s. 1.

Editor’s Note.

Session Laws 2013-238, s. 2, made this section effective July 3, 2013.

Session Laws 2013-238, in its preamble, provides: “Whereas, Fragile X syndrome is a genetic condition that causes intellectual disability, behavioral and learning challenges, and various physical features; and

“Whereas, although Fragile X syndrome occurs in both genders, males are more frequently affected than females and generally with greater severity; and

“Whereas, over 100,000 people in the United States have Fragile X syndrome and an estimated 1,000,000 people in the United States carry a Fragile X mutation and have or are at risk of developing a Fragile X-associated disorder; and

“Whereas, approximately one-third of all children with Fragile X syndrome also have autism or an autism spectrum disorder; and

“Whereas, although the genetic defect that causes Fragile X is easily identified by testing, there is a lack of awareness about the disease, even within the medical community; and

“Whereas, special care for an individual with Fragile X syndrome can cost over $2,000,000; and

“Whereas, Fragile X research, both basic and applied, has the potential for the development of a cure and may be a model for neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism, schizophrenia, pervasive developmental disorders, and other forms of X-linked intellectual disability; and

“Whereas, several states have established a Fragile X Awareness Day to help raise public awareness of this genetic disorder; Now, therefore”.

§ 103-14. Lineman Appreciation Day.

The second Monday in April of each year is designated as Lineman Appreciation Day in North Carolina.

History. 2015-8, s. 2.

Editor’s Note.

Session Laws 2015-8, s. 3, made this section effective July 1, 2015.

Session Laws 2015-8 provides in its preamble: “Whereas, the profession of linemen is steeped in personal, family, and professional tradition; and

“Whereas, linemen are often the first responders during storms and other catastrophic events, working to make the scene safe for other public safety heroes; and

“Whereas, linemen work with thousands of volts of electricity high atop power lines 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to keep electricity flowing; and

“Whereas, linemen must often work under dangerous conditions far from their families to construct and maintain the energy infrastructure of the United States; and

“Whereas, linemen put their lives on the line every day with little recognition from the community regarding the danger of their work; and

“Whereas, it is appropriate to honor the brave men and women who work to keep the power on and protect public safety by designating April 18, 2015, and the second Monday in April of each year thereafter as Lineman Appreciation Day; Now, therefore,”

Session Laws 2015-8, s. 1 provides: “The eighteenth day of April, 2015, is designated as Lineman Appreciation Day in North Carolina.”

§ 103-15. Posttraumatic stress injury awareness.

June 27 of each year is designated as Posttraumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day in North Carolina.

History. 2019-225, s. 1.

Editor’s Note.

Session Laws 2019-225, s. 10, made this section effective September 18, 2019.

The preamble to Session Laws 2019-225 provides: “Whereas, all citizens of the United States possess the basic human right to the preservation of personal dignity; and

“Whereas, all citizens of the United States deserve the investment of every possible resource to ensure their lasting physical, mental, and emotional well-being; and

“Whereas, the diagnosis known as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was initially formulated in 1980 by the American Psychiatric Association to more accurately assess and assist veterans who had endured severe combat stress in Vietnam; and

“Whereas, combat stress is an invisible wound which has historically been unjustly portrayed as a mental illness caused by a preexisting flaw of character or ability and that the word ‘disorder’ carries a stigma which perpetuates this misconception; and

“Whereas, it has been shown through electromagnetic imaging that these invisible wounds can cause physical changes to the brain that more accurately describe an injury than a disorder; and

“Whereas, referring to invisible wounds as a disorder can discourage the injured from seeking proper and timely medical treatment; and

“Whereas, referring to invisible wounds as posttraumatic stress injury (PTSI) is less stigmatizing and viewed as more honorable, and this designation can favorably influence those affected and encourage them to seek treatment without fear of retribution or shame; and

“Whereas, PTSI can occur following exposure to extremely traumatic events other than combat such as interpersonal violence, life-threatening accidents, and natural disasters; and

“Whereas, PTSI satisfying criteria A through H of the diagnosis for PTSD in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual deserves disability compensation equal to that allowed for PTSD under the law; and

“Whereas, timely and appropriate treatment of PTSI can diminish complications and avert suicides; and

“Whereas, all citizens suffering PTSIs deserve our compassion and consideration; those brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who have received these wounds in operational action against an enemy of the United States further deserve our clear and obvious recognition; Now, therefore,”

§ 103-16. Wounded Heroes Day.

The twenty-fourth day of April of each year is designated as Wounded Heroes Day in North Carolina.

History. 2021-12, s. 1.

Editor’s Note.

Session Laws 2021-12, provides in the preamble: “Whereas, Sgt. Michael Verardo served in the United States Army until receiving a medical retirement in 2013; and

“Whereas, on April 24, 2010, while on foot patrol as an Infantryman with the 82nd Airborne, Bravo Company (2-508th) Parachute Infantry Regiment, in Afghanistan, Sgt. Verardo was wounded by an improvised explosive device, causing him to lose his left leg and much of his left arm, withstand severe burns, and suffer a traumatic brain injury and other injuries that required a field blood transfusion; and

“Whereas, Sgt. Verardo bravely endured years of physical, occupational, speech, and visual therapies and, on April 24, 2019, his Ninth Alive Day, underwent his 120th surgery; and

“Whereas, because of his courage and grit, Sgt. Verardo has overcome unimaginable challenges and obstacles and is now able to enjoy adaptive athletics, such as competitive pistol shooting, and is an active participant in his church and community; and

“Whereas, in honor of Sgt. Verardo’s Alive Day anniversary and in recognition of all the other wounded heroes who have bravely made great sacrifices in service to our nation, it is fitting to designate April 24th of each year as Wounded Heroes Day in North Carolina; Now, therefore,”

Session Laws 2021-12, s. 2, made this section effective April 21, 2021.