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FAISON — Voices from the past filled the Faison Cemetery on Oct. 18, during the annual ghost walk, this year spotlighting World War II. Seven actors portrayed real people who lived through World War II, at home and on the front.
The family-friendly tour started with an air warden played by Bryan Bullard, who explained Eastern North Carolina’s role in World War II. During his interactive discussion, the tours moved forward in a straight line through tombstones, with lights on the ground illuminating the way. The actors were set up in individual stations along the route to tell their stories. All the actors wore period dress, with props and, in some cases, accents to bring their characters to life.
There were the Martin sisters, Rachel Martin Clifton and Marietta Martin Davis, who served in the Navy and Army and returned home to Faison. They talked about life in the service and coming home afterwards. There was John Warren, a farmer with six children at the time of WWII. He told the story of life at home and the war efforts underway in America at that time. Stella McColman was there to talk about the three-star flag that hung in her window for the three sons she had off at war. Luckily, they all came home, and one became the mayor of Faison.
Ron Oates Sr. was there. He talked about moving to Faison with his wife and ending up building ships in Wilmington for the war. Clifton Edgerton, a Quaker and writer-illustrator living in New York at the time, brought some of his sketches. Originally from Faison, Edgerton was killed in action and buried in Belgium. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the French Order of the War, and a Purple Heart. James Coley, an Army veteran and POW survivor, was there. He told the story of how he escaped from a German prison camp and returned to his company.
All the “voices” of the ghost walk were portrayed by actors representing Faison natives — many of whom are buried in the cemetery today.
At the end of the tour, guests lingered with homemade cookies and water or cider. Andrew Taylor, Faison Improvement Group director, estimated that over 100 people attended the free event.
This was FIG’s third year hosting the event, and they plan to be bigger and better next year. “Next year is the 250th anniversary of our town and country. We plan to have voices here from the Revolutionary War forward,” Taylor said. Everyone is encouraged to come back next year for the walking tour.
