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The phrase “go fly a kite” may be from a 1905 novel
called “The Unwritten Law” by Arthur Henry,
part of dialogue between tough young street kids.
THIS issue is simply superb with
indeed information on the
annual Kite Festival held at
Fort Fisher, and the colorful art
upfront
in Louis Belden’s printmaking collection
donated to and on display at the Cameron
Art Museum, to a very special Home of
Distinction where you drive through the
carriage house to the main house.
But it is the story of Edward Manning
Hardin that has captured our hearts
100 years after he grew to be a man here
in Wilmington, played at Wrightsville
Beach, attended college, and then trained
and shipped out to fight in the Great War.
We celebrate our veterans on Nov. 11,
because that is the date when The
Armistice — ending horrific fighting
on the Western Front — was signed
101 years ago. This month we share
some of the experiences and horrors
of World War I through the letters of
this incredible hero. Read the story
of the war’s battlefields from a gifted
Wilmingtonian’s eloquent perspective.
George Clark Jr. brought me the
Pat Bradford with a stunt kite in Wrightsville Beach Municipal Park.
letters; his father served alongside
Edward Hardin as did many of
the young men of the day from
Wilmington. Edward wrote 150 letters and cards home during the years 1917-1919. I was hooked from his first one, and
I stayed up two nights running reading them.
This man’s story should be put into the hands of a movie producer with local connections who can tell the tale of this
amazing hero on the big screen, and with it that of the 115th Machine Gun Battalion of the 30th Division, American
Expeditionary Force, and their role in taking the infamous Hindenburg Line.
Also, for this issue our team has created a delightful map of Wilmington’s trails; you will not want to miss that. And as
football season ramps up — we find former NFL kicker Connor Barth on the beach and share new Crock-Pot recipes.
Happy November!
Editor/Publisher
Pat’s hair by Frank Potter, Bangz Hair Salon. Hair styled by Rob Asp, Bangz. Makeup styled by Sarah Harris, Bangz.
ALLISON POTTER
www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com WBM