After Gov. Beverly Perdue was sworn in, Andy Griffith rose to read a poem written by his wife, Cindi Griffith. Here it is.
North Carolina is my home
I no longer have to roam
When I see our morning sun
I know there's work to be done
Gov. Bev Perdue is the person we choose
Because there's so much she can do
She will need our best
To achieve her quest to be the person we need
So we may succeed
Please grant us the peace to allow her to lead
God bless her and keep her and always be near her
As she opens a door as never before
So as a new year starts
Let us open our hearts
As I trot out again to say hello to my friends
I know that all will be great
For our grand Old North State
Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue has released more details of her inauguration.
Noted actor Andy Griffith will read a selection written by his wife, Cindi, at the 10:30 a.m. swearing-in ceremony Saturday.
Well-known Triangle-area alt-country singer Caitlin Cary will sing "America the Beautiful." Her band, Tres Chicas, is also performing at one of the inaugural balls.
The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by 12-year-old William Swart of Fuquay-Varina, whose father John is in the National Guard and is currently out of state training for deployment to Iraq.
The 440th Army National Guard Band will perform at the pre-inaugural concert at 10 a.m. in front of the state Office of Archives and History in Raleigh.