First capital to 9/11 memorial. How Craven County embodies freedom, being an American

Eastern North Carolina is home to a wealth of sites that speak to the past and present greatness exemplified in the state’s motto, “Esse quam videri,” a Latin phrase meaning "To be, rather than to seem."

From historical destinations that highlight the ingenuity and drive of the state’s most creative minds, to those that memorialize the courage and sacrifice of our military veterans, the New Bern, Jacksonville and Havelock area’s are a perfect destination to explore the spirit of American greatness celebrated on the Fourth of July.

New Bern National Cemetery, 1711 National Ave, New Bern

New Bern National Cemetery
New Bern National Cemetery

Established in 1867, the cemetery is the final resting place for Union soldiers who perished in the battle for New Bern and other engagements in coastal North Carolina. Three hundred U.S. Colored Troops are interred in the national cemetery, as are more than 1,050 unknown soldiers. In total, more than 6,500 people are buried on the cemetery’s 7.7 acres. The spacious, somber grounds are dotted with numerous private grave markers, as well as four large monuments erected by states to commemorate fallen Union soldiers.

Tryon Palace, 529 S Front St, New Bern

Tryon Palace
Tryon Palace

Resting like a beacon to the spirit of American independence and rejuvenation in the heart of downtown New Bern, Tryon Palace was the official residence and administrative headquarters of the British governors of North Carolina before it was seized by patriot troops in 1775. Its reign was short-lived however. After the state capital was relocated to Raleigh in 1792, the structure's main building burned to the ground. Tryon Palace fell into disuse until a restoration project faithful to the original architect’s plans led to a reopening in 1959. Today, the state's historic site and its brilliantly-hued, 16-acre garden is New Bern’s most popular tourist attraction.

New Bern Firemen's Museum 9/11 Memorial, 420 Broad St, New Bern

New Bern Firemen's Museum 9/11 Memorial
New Bern Firemen's Museum 9/11 Memorial

Last March, Craven County residents and visitors gained a place to honor the fallen heroes of September 11, 2001. Located in front of the New Bern Firemen's Museum, the memorial consists of a blank concrete slab that serves as a vivid symbolization of the event of 9/11. At the base of the memorial are four sides with bold red statements that read: "Sept. 11, 2011, Pentagon, Never Forget and Shanksville, PA." Once the site is complete, the 9/11 memorial will include 8 feet tall replicas of the north and south towers of the World Trade Center and a fireman's uniform containing the boots, jacket and gloves.

The Birthplace of Pepsi Store, 256 Middle St, New Bern

The Birthplace of Pepsi Store
The Birthplace of Pepsi Store

Another downtown New Bern landmark, this small, unassuming store marks the location where what remains one of the world’s most popular soft drinks, Pepsi-Cola, was first invented by Caleb Bradham in 1898. Born in Chinquapin, Bradham originally had hopes of becoming a doctor before a family crisis forced him to drop out of college. Returning home, he opened a drug store on the corner of Middle and Pollock Streets in downtown New Bern and in 1893 concocted “Brad’s Drink,” a unique mix of sugar, water, caramel, lemon oil, nutmeg, and other natural additives. Five years later, Bradham renamed his drink “Pepsi-Cola,” and a soft drink legend was born.

Lejeune Memorial Gardens, 109 Montford Landing Rd, Jacksonville

Lejeune Memorial Gardens
Lejeune Memorial Gardens

This collection of monuments outside Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune allows visitors an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by America’s military servicemen and women. The newest addition, the Montford Point Marine Memorial, honors African-American Marines who trained at a segregated camp during World War II, reclaiming a too-often forgotten chapter of the nation’s history. Other highlights of the memorial gardens include the nation’s second-largest Vietnam War memorial, a beam from the World Trade Center, and a site devoted to the 1983 Beirut bombing that killed more than 240 service members.

9/11Memorial, US Hwy 70, Havelock

Havelock 9/11 Memorial
Havelock 9/11 Memorial

On September 11, 2011, 10 years after the terrorist attacks on America, the City of Havelock dedicated an erected artifact from the World Trade Center site that had been requested from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Since then, other integral pieces have been added to the city’s 9/11 Memorial Plaza, located immediately between the city’s police station and US Hwy. 70. The memorial now contains several artifacts, bricks, and remnants from all of the sites affected by 9/11 to honor the memory of those lost.

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Havelock

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point

A sign outside the gates reads, “Pardon our noise, it’s the sound of freedom.” And for more than 75 years, that sound has echoed through local skies, from the deep, guttural growl of amphibious biplanes and single-wing attack aircraft during World War II, to the piercing whine of today’s state of the art jets. Cherry Point is home to Marine Transport Squadron 1, which operated the well-known HH-46E search and rescue helicopters affectionately referred to as “Pedro." The air base also hosts the wildly-popular bi-annual Blue Angels air show, which draws thousands of visitors to the area.

This article originally appeared on Sun Journal: What it means to be an American in Craven County this Fourth of July