“For me, it means connection; a connection to history, to the community I am visiting, to my family and to the values that shaped our country,” Luis says.

The elementary school assistant principal in New Hanover County credits his son, who is now a Marine, with inspiring him to become a reenactor.

“My son was five years old at the time,” he recalls. “We had some family friends who were in the 6th North Carolina Historical Reenactment Society and were going to the Moores Creek Battlefield reenactment. My son went along for some fun.

“When he came back, he said, ‘Dad! You got to try this. It was awesome!’ So the next year … I went. I’ve been hooked ever since.”

Luis joined the 6th NC in 2006 and went to the Moores Creek reenactment. He’s now the unit commander. It’s one of the oldest reenactment groups in the state.

“The 6th NC has been around since the Bicentennial,” Luis says. “We are a nonprofit organization based out of Charlotte. The members all hail from across the state — literally from the coast to the mountains.”

Reenactors portray anyone connected with a battle, from Patriot officers and soldiers to British Loyalist forces. You might play a fife or drum, or, if you’re portraying a Loyalist Scottish Highlander (who made their last broadsword charge during the battle), the bagpipes. Women often accompanied their husbands and carried out essential tasks such as cooking and washing clothes.

For the 250th Moores Creek Bridge reenactment, Luis will portray either Richard Caswell [commander of Patriot forces at Moores Creek] or Colonel James Moore [who maneuvered Loyalist troops into engaging with Patriots]. So the clothing Cruz wears is important. As the old saying goes, “clothes make the man.” Even the smallest details are important for an accurate portrayal.

“Because I portray an officer, I portray a gentleman,” he explains. “I’m educated. I may have land or perhaps a business. In keeping with that social status, I have to have finer clothing than the average soldier. So I’ll use a finer wool for my clothes. I’ll use silk and perhaps some printed materials. My buttons are fancier or cloth-covered. My hat also fits my status as a gentleman.”

Likewise, the kind of firearm he carries must be correct to the time, place and situation.

“I use a 1763 model French Charleville,” he says. “These were issued to the Continental Army and were favored over the British model by American soldiers.”

Luis sees his role as a reenactor as a way to serve his country and honor the resilience of past generations.

“It’s a reminder that freedom and sacrifice aren’t just words in a book; they were lived experiences,” Luis says. “Being part of that story, even in a small one-weekend-a-month kind of way, means everything.”

Throughout 2026 we’re excited to recognize our nation’s 250th anniversary by sharing stories that highlight North Carolina’s unique contributions to American history.