1952- Veterans's clubhouse opening

 The 1952 Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence Day was celebrated along with the dedication of a new veterans’ clubhouse in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Charlotte Observer 5/20/1952, p. 2, section 1 and 5/21/1952 p.1, section B

Vet Clubhouse To Be Opened In Ceremonies 5/20/1952, p. 2, section 1  

Independence Day Will Be Observed With Armed Forces   Joint observance of the 177th anniversary of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and Armed Forces Day will take place in Charlotte today at the dedication of the new $175,000 Veterans Clubhouse on E. Morehead Street.  

Formal ceremonies to which the public is invited will begin at 6:30 p.m. when Mayor Shaw will raise an historic American flag at the clubhouse. The flag, which flew over the U.S. Embassy offices in Paris at the time Germany invaded France, was brought here from Portugal, where it had been taken by members of the embassy staff.  

Capt. Earle J. Gluck, chairman of the Armed Forces Day arrangements, has announced there will be no speeches at the occasion. Instead, a four-piece band from Fort Bragg will provide a program of music. Members of each branch of the armed forces will be present and several displays of small weapons have been set up in the building.  

Reception   A reception with refreshments begins for the public at 7:30 p.m., lasting until 10:30 p.m. in the receiving line will be Chairman Sid Y. McAden of the Board of County Commissioners and W.A. Richards, chairman of the Veterans Recreation Authority, plus representatives from each veteran and patriotic order in the city.  

Since May 20 is a legal N.C. holiday, bank and city and county government offices will be closed today. However, most retail stores will observe regular hours, as will federal government agencies and offices of stock brokers.  

The new Veteran’s Clubhouse, recently decorated and furnished contains a large assembly room which seats 450 people and five rooms for smaller functions. Col. Paul R. Younts, Army and Air Force veteran, is chairman of the dedication arrangements.

New Vet Center Is Dedicated At Ceremony 5/21/1952, p.1, section B  

Mecklenburg Independence Day, Also Armed Forces Day Marked  

The $175,000 Veterans Recreation Center on East Morehead St. was dedicated last night in ceremonies which also marked the city’s observance of Armed Forces Day and the anniversary of the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. There was no speaking at all. An Army band from Fort Bragg silenced its open-air concert; the crowd stood at attention facing the flagpole; and a sailor, a Marine, a soldier and a member of the Air Force raised the United States flag to the top of the mast and then lowered it while the band played “The Star Spangled Banner.” Standing near the front of the crowd in the brief ceremony were Mayor Victor Shaw, County Commission Chairman Sid Y. McAden, National Legion Committeeman Robin Kirby, W. Howard Aldred, secretary-treasurer of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Veterans Recreation Authority, and Paul R. Younts, chairman of arrangements for the dedication and also chairman of the committee for furnishing the center.  

HISTORIC FLAG  

The flag used in the dedication ceremony flew over the United States Embassy in Paris when the Germans invaded France in World War II. It was presented by Mayor Shaw to the local Veterans Authority for the center. Following the flag ceremony in front of the center a reception was held in the 450-seat assembly room, with Mrs. E. C. Boyette presiding as chairman of a committee of women in charge of serving punch and cookies. The new Veterans Center, built with county and city funds, has been equipped throughout with modern, attractive furnishings donated by numerous individuals, firms and organizations. In addition to the large assembly room, the Center includes a large lounge, rest rooms, kitchen, dining room, snack bar, game room, and several rooms where group meetings may be held.  

UNDER AUTHORITY  

The Center is under the administration of the Veterans Recreation Authority headed by William G. Richards, chairman. Members of the Authority are Mr. Aldred, J. Bobo Langston, Francis Fairley, and Ernest Foard. The Army band which played at the dedication later played at Griffith Park for the baseball spectators. On display in the basement of the Center during the reception and open house were small arms weapons used in combat by the country’s armed services. Capt. Earl Gluck was in charge of the Armed Forces Day phase of the ceremonies.