Lee-Jackson-Maury Since 1992 the Robert F. Hoke Chapter No. 78 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy has remembered the January birthdays of two of the most famous generals who served the Confederate States of America in addition to the world-renowned Commodore known as the “Pathfinder of the Seas” due to his charts of ocean currents.
Despite the threat of snow, the Lee-Jackson-Maury Luncheon was held Jan. 18 in the Stanback Auditorium of the Rowan Public Library. A birthday cake for Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson and Commodore Matthew Maury was the centerpiece as the ladies from the Salisbury chapter and chapters from Greensboro, Charlotte, Concord, Newton, Shelby, Mooresville, Durham, Aberdeen and Akron, Ohio sang “Happy Birthday.” Members of the Children of the Confederacy and Sons of Confederate Veterans were also in attendance.
Hoke Chapter President Sue Curtis welcomed the assembly to Salisbury. Trudy Hall, chapter third vice president, recognized guests that included Ruthann Bond, UDC North Carolina Division president. Grady Hall, member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, read the poem “Birthdays of Lee and Jackson” and Hoke Honorary Associate member Ed Curtis gave the blessing which was a prayer used for 34 years by Commodore Matthew Fountaine Maury.
The luncheon was catered by Debbie Suggs. The meal as well as the door prizes paid tribute to the “pet” hen that traveled with Lee’s camp during part of the war, to the supposed fondness of Jackson for lemons, and to the “salt” water of the ocean that drew Maury into the Navy.Ed Curtis introduced the speaker, Dr. Gary Freeze, author and history professor at Catawba College. Freeze gave examples of the different facets of Lee’s life. In his closing, he asked the audience to ponder how many people would they follow blindly and to remember that Stonewall Jackson had said exactly that about Robert E. Lee.
The luncheon concluded with everyone singing “Blessed Be the Tie That Binds.”
Lions Club awards
The Salisbury Lions Club celebrated its 65th annual Man/Woman, Lion of the Year awards banquet on Jan. 15 at the Holiday Inn.
The speaker this year was North Carolina Senator Andrew Brock.
The person named Woman of the Year was Rose Post, honored for her continuous commitment to the Rowan County community. The 2006 Man of the Year, Jim Foltz, retired Rowan County parks and recreation director, presented the award.