Bruce Daws spoke to the Laurinburg Rotary Club on Tuesday.
Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Commander Bruce Daws was the honorary guest.
Daws, who has been Commander of the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Company since 1984, has been with the unit since the 70s. He spoke to the Rotary members about the history of the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Company.
"I gave an overview to the Rotary members on what the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Company has done over time," Daws said.
Daws explained that the unit is the oldest military unit in the South in continuous existence.
"The FILI is designated as a historic military command under North Carolina General Statues," Daws said.
It is North Carolina's official historic military command and the second-oldest militia organization in the United States.
"The company is a ceremonial unit which characterizes the old militia of the United States," Daws said.
The group was organized on August 23, 1793 after President George Washington enacted the Militia Act, according to Daws.
Members of the Rotary were impressed with Daws' presentation.
"It was fascinating," the Hon. William McIlwain said. "Commander Daws presented a unique twist on military history in the area."
The FILI has been serving the United States since 1793 and has been a part of the War of 1812, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War and World War I.
"The FILI was a tactical division in WWI," he said.
The FILI has a Armory and Museum which contains historical artifacts, weapons, uniforms, and memorabilia, including the carriage that rode the Marquis de Lafayette during his visit to Fayetteville, according to the Fayetteville attraction website.
The armory is located at 210 Burgess St. in Fayetteville and is open to the public.
Daws also spoke a little about the Scottish community and how Fayetteville's heritage compares to Scotland Counties heritage.
"The heritages are similar in many ways," he said.
Staff reporter John Lentz contributed to this story.
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