N.C. State and East Carolina are two programs happy to be bowl eligible after experiencing their fair share of struggles and disappointments this season. But coming from “the Birthplace of Independence” and one of the largest military communities in the nation, earning their spot in the Military Bowl holds more significance than most other games.
North Carolina earned its nickname for its rich history as one of the original 13 colonies and ties to the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. The battleship North Carolina, located in Wilmington, was active in the Pacific during World War II.
The state includes roughly a dozen active military bases and offices from three of the four branches, and there are an estimated 130,000 military members living in North Carolina, according to the U.S. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs . Military and defensive operations are the second-largest employers in the state and provide an estimated $66 billion to the local economy…