SALISBURY — The Robert F. Hoke Chapter No. 78, United Daughters of the Confederacy, remembered Matthew Fontaine Maury, born Jan. 14, 1806; Robert Edward Lee, born Jan. 19, 1807; and Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson, born Jan. 21, 1824, with a luncheon Jan. 16 in the Stanback Auditorium of Rowan Public Library.

This annual Lee-Jackson-Maury Luncheon was first held in 1992 at the home of Hoke Chapter President Sue Curtis and a few years later in the home of Vice President Jo White Linn before moving to a larger venue.

The historical lecture, door prizes and food remembered the three men who served the Confederate States of America after their service in the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy.

Caterer Debbie Suggs served a lemon-flavored birthday cake for dessert since Jackson was supposed to have a fondness for lemons.  The main course, chicken dumplings, was in memory of Lee’s pet hen that traveled with his staff during 1863-1864 and, unknown to Lee, was made part of a meal for special dinner guests. Packets of salt were provided for seasoning and represented Commodore Maury’s love of the sea.

Approximately 70 UDC members from  chapters in Charlotte, Concord, Denver, Forest City, Graham, Greensboro, Lexington, Lincolnton, Mooresville,  Newton, Statesville and Wilmington attended. N.C. Division President Pat Gasson and Recorder of Military Service Awards Gail Sifford attended, as did Honorary Division presidents Curtis, Wilda Council and Kathy Brewer.

A number of husbands and guests also were among the attendees, along with several past and present N.C. Division officers of the Children of the Confederacy.

Curtis gave the welcome and Recorder Nancy Sloop led everyone in singing “Happy Birthday” to Lee-Jackson-Maury.  Registrar Trudy Hall recognized special guests, and Vice-President Sandra Boyer gave the blessing, which was a prayer used by Commodore Maury for 34 years.

Historian Dianne Hall read E.T. Lessing’s poem, “Birthdays of Lee and Jackson,” and 2nd Vice President Barbara Upright, Recording Secretary Anne Saunders and member Joan Nash helped with the door prizes. Chaplain Linda Davis gave the benediction, which included a remembrance of member Mary Ann Greenland.

The table mats included information on the wives of the three honorees — Elinor Junkin Jackson, Mary Anna Morrison Jackson, Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee and Ann Hull Herndon Maury.

Hoke Honorary Associate Member Ed Curtis introduced the guest speaker, Brian Davis, executive director of the Historic Salisbury Foundation, Inc. Davis talked about “The Houses of Lee: Architecture of Stratford Hall and Arlington House” and shared slides showing these houses. More than 75 percent of the audience had visited one or both of these locations and was especially interested in the blueprints that were shown.

The luncheon concluded with an invitation to return in 2016 and the song “Bless Be the Tie That Binds.”