History
The Inspiration of Gov. James Hunt
The single most important influence—in the late 1900s—was that of then-Governor Jim Hunt of North Carolina. He invited me to accompany him and other leaders on a trip to Israel to develop ties between NC and the State of Israel. I was deeply honored but unable to go due to personal reasons. We did stay in touch, and when it came to do the legal work necessary to develop our corporation, he referred me to an attorney at his own firm. Womble-Carlyle—who took this on PRO BONO as the only funds we had at the time had been my personal small bank account.
Background History
1956 Sinai Campaign and War
Simultaneous with a revolution in Hungary, a war broke out between Israel and her neighbors in the fall of 1956. Nine years old, I watched the news with interest and had numerous discussions with my parents—David and Emma Greenwood. They shared with me their insight as if speaking to a young adult, and I looked into ways of finding more information. Also, this experience led me to wonder if there could ever be a way to bring peace to this troubled planet, including The Jewish State, for whose survival I learned to hope and pray.
Despite many losses, Israel did survive and grow, but she faced even graver dangers later, prior to her victory in the 1967 six day war.