The Robert F. Hoke Chapter No. 78 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy held its annual Lee-Jackson-Maury luncheon Jan. 15 in Rowan Public Library’s Stanback Auditorium.

The event remembers Matthew Fontaine Maury, born Jan. 14, 1806; Robert Edward Lee, born Jan. 19, 1807; and Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson, born Jan. 21, 1824.

The UDC luncheon was first held in 1992 a the home of Chapter President Sue Curtis and a few years later moved to the home of Vice President Jo White Linn before relocating to a larger venue.

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

Curtis gave the welcome and shared information about Lee, Jackson and Maury. Registrar Trudy Hall recognized guests that included members and spouses from chapters in Aberdeen, Carolina Beach, Charlotte, Concord, Denver, Graham, Greensboro, Lexington, Lincolnton, Mooresville, Newton, Statesville and Wilmington.

N.C. Division President Pat Gasson, Division Registrar Peggy Johnson and Division Recorder of Military Service Awards Gail Sifford attended, as did Honorary Division Presidents Curtis, Wilda Council and Kathy Brewer.

Historian Dianne Hall read E.T. Lessing’s poem, “Birthdays of Lee and Jackson,” and Vice President Sandra Boyer gave the blessing, which was a prayer used by Commodore Maury for 34 years.

Second Vice President Barbara Upright, Recording Secretary Anne Saunders and member Chris Hilton assisted with the door prizes, and Recorder Nancy Sloop gave the benediction.

Debbie Suggs catered the luncheon which included annual favorites.  Chicken and dumplings were in memory of Lee’s “pet” hen that traveled with his staff during 1863-1864.  A lemon-flavored birthday cake was served because  Jackson was supposed to have had a fondness for lemons. Commodore Maury’s love of the sea was represented by salt used for seasoning.

Hoke Chapter Honorary Associate Member Ed Curtis introduced the guest speaker, Steve Harris, historian and reenactor with the 26th and 28th Regiments ,N.C. Troops.  “Strike the Tent” was the title of his talk, which was about the types of tents that Generals Lee and Jackson and other soldiers in both the North and South used during military campaigns.  Slides of tents were shown and reproductions of period equipment were displayed.

Programs given to attendees included poems written about the  Confederate commodore and generals being remembered.  Placemats listed historical locations in Salisbury and information on Gov. John W. Ellis from Sue Curtis’ pamphlet, “Searching for the Confederacy in Rowan County, N.C.,” and from a magazine article she wrote.

The luncheon concluded with an invitation to return in 2017 for the annual event, followed by the singing of “Blest Be the Tie That Binds.”