Two Cleveland County young women receive Susannah Twitty Gold Medals of Bravery

Maya McClain and Kennedy Bozard were honored in Shelby, North Carolina, on Veterans Day during a county ceremony that also unveiled a new veterans monument. The awards tied local remembrance to Revolutionary War history and the legacy of Susannah Twitty, a teenage patriot recognized for defending her community.

Why it matters: - The medals connect Cleveland County’s Veterans Day observance to the legacy of Susannah Twitty, a teenage Revolutionary War patriot whose story highlights women’s contributions to American independence. - The recognition also spotlights two young women whose leadership and service are presented as carrying that legacy forward. - The ceremony added a permanent veterans memorial to a public space where families, veterans, and community leaders can gather for remembrance.

What happened: - Maya McClain and Kennedy Bozard received Susannah Twitty Gold Medals of Bravery and commemorative certificates in Shelby, North Carolina, on November 11, 2026. - The presentation came after the dedication of a new granite veterans monument at the historic Cleveland County Courthouse, now home to the Earl Scruggs Center. - Cleveland County marked the occasion during its Veterans Day commemoration. - The awards were presented through the American Revolutionary War Living History Center™.

The details: - The medal honors Susannah Twitty Graham Miller, described as a 17-year-old Revolutionary War patriot who helped defend her Carolina frontier community against British Loyalist attacks. - The program is intended to preserve the contributions of women and girls whose Revolutionary War histories have often been overlooked. - The new monument honors military 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 present-day veterans with overlooked Revolutionary War patriots including Susannah Twitty, William Graham of Grover, N.C., Ishmael Titus, Jorge “George” Farragut, and Catawba warrior Captain Redhead. - Mongiello’s remarks emphasized the contributions of women, African Americans, Native Americans, immigrants, and military 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 addressed the crowd and spoke about military service, sacrifice, and remembrance. - American Legion Post 82 presented the colors. - Veterans in attendance were publicly recognized. - A moment of silence honored prisoners of war. - The monument includes a plaque depicting the flag raising atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Between the lines: - The ceremony framed the county’s Veterans Day observance as both a local memorial event and a broader historical message about whose service gets remembered. - The focus on Revolutionary War women, African Americans, Native Americans, and immigrants suggests an effort to widen the historical record beyond traditional military storytelling. - The use of a permanent granite memorial signals an attempt to create a lasting public site for ceremony, reflection, and education. - The standing ovation at the end of Mongiello’s remarks showed strong community response to the message of remembrance and national unity.

What's next: - The American Revolutionary War Living History Center™ says the Susannah Twitty Gold Medal of Bravery program will continue to preserve and elevate underrecognized Revolutionary War patriots. - The new monument is positioned to serve future Veterans Day observances and community remembrance events in Shelby. - Historical documentation, a complete speech, and photographs are available at the event archive. - More information about the organization is available at the center's website.