Two young women receive Susannah Twitty Gold Medals in Shelby Veterans Day ceremony

Maya McClain and Kennedy Bozard were honored in Shelby, North Carolina, during Cleveland County’s Veterans Day observance on Nov. 11. The ceremony also marked the unveiling of a new veterans monument and highlighted the legacy of Revolutionary War patriot Susannah Twitty.

Why it matters: - The Susannah Twitty Gold Medal of Bravery program spotlights women and girls whose Revolutionary War-era contributions have often been overlooked. - The award links Cleveland County’s Veterans Day remembrance to America’s 250th anniversary and to a broader story of service across generations. - The ceremony tied local history to public recognition of military service, sacrifice and remembrance.

What happened: - Maya McClain and Kennedy Bozard received Susannah Twitty Gold Medals of Bravery and commemorative certificates in Shelby, North Carolina, on Nov. 11. - The presentations came during Cleveland County’s Veterans Day commemorations, following the dedication of a new granite veterans monument at the historic Cleveland County Courthouse, now home to the Earl Scruggs Center. - The awards were presented through the American Revolutionary War Living History Center. - The medal honors Susannah Twitty Graham Miller, a 17-year-old Revolutionary War patriot who helped defend her Carolina frontier community against British Loyalist attacks. - The program recognizes young women whose courage, perseverance, leadership and service reflect the spirit of the founding generation.

The details: - The new monument honors veterans from all six branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. - The monument includes the inscriptions “Dedicated to all who served in times of war and peace” and “All gave some — some gave all.” - Professor Martin C.J. “Marti” Mongiello, a retired 30-year U.S. Navy veteran and president of the United States Presidential Service Center, delivered the keynote address. - Mongiello linked modern veterans with lesser-known Revolutionary War figures including Susannah Twitty, William Graham of Grover, North Carolina, African American soldier Ishmael Titus, Spanish patriot Jorge “George” Farragut and Catawba warrior Captain Redhead. - His remarks highlighted the contributions of women, African Americans, Native Americans, immigrants and veterans from diverse backgrounds. - Mongiello spoke in African Fulani, English and Spanish. - Country singer-songwriter Lee Newton performed patriotic music, including “God Bless the USA,” during the monument unveiling. - Cleveland County Commissioner Chairman Kevin Gordon also addressed attendees and spoke about military service, sacrifice and remembrance. - American Legion Post 82 presented the colors. - Veterans in attendance were publicly recognized, and the ceremony included a moment of silence for prisoners of war. - A plaque on the monument depicts the flag raising atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Between the lines: - The ceremony was designed to connect local memorialization with a larger effort to preserve stories that do not always appear in standard Revolutionary War histories. - The gold medal program extends that effort by recognizing living young women whose achievements mirror the values associated with the original patriots. - The granite monument is meant to function as more than a marker, serving as a gathering place for remembrance and intergenerational reflection. - The standing ovation for Mongiello underscored the event’s emphasis on national unity and shared memory.

What's next: - The American Revolutionary War Living History Center says the program will continue promoting historical research, education, preservation and recognition of overlooked patriots. - The organization’s materials, photographs and historical documentation are available at Historical documentation and photos and The center’s website. - The ceremony’s organizers framed the recognition of McClain and Bozard as part of the nation’s broader 250th anniversary remembrance.

The bottom line: - Cleveland County used Veterans Day to honor today’s service members, spotlight overlooked Revolutionary War women and connect local remembrance to America’s founding legacy.