The John Blue Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy hosted the District V meeting of the UDC Thursday, March 19, at the Postmaster's House in Aberdeen.

Attending were three state division officers, three district officers, an honorary president of the North Carolina Division, an ex-president of division, two chapter presidents, and a large number of members representing the John Blue Chapter in Aberdeen, the J.E.B. Stuart Chapter in Fayetteville, and the Robeson Chapter in Lumberton.

The Postmaster's House was decorated inside and out with magnolias and local flowering plants by Paula Caddell. The tables were decorated with Gerber daisies in Easter baskets.

The meeting was conducted by District Director Frances Kelly of the J.E.B. Stuart Chapter. The invocation, pledges to the United States, North Carolina, and Confederate flags and the ritual were conducted by John Blue Chapter chaplain, Louise Buchan. Paula Caddell led the assembly with appropriate patriotic music.

Elizabeth Mofield, mayor of Aberdeen, welcomed the group. John Blue President Dorothy Thomas introduced the pages who assisted the officers. They were Harriet Sloan, chapter registrar, and Claudyne Brock, chapter corresponding secretary.

Chaplain Louise Buchan, assisted by second vice-president Elaine Lytton, conducted the memorial service for the four deceased district members. They were Kathleen Gordon and Evaline Garrison, of the John Blue Chapter, Jennie Bleeker, of the J.E.B. Stuart Chapter and Margaret MacKethan, of the Robeson Chapter. A candle was lit and a short memorial read for each one.

Frances Kelly introduced the division officers, Emily Champion, president Leanne Moore, vice president, and Michele Miller, third vice president. Each spoke on the areas of which they are in charge in the North Carolina Division. Champion stressed the importance of keeping up Confederate cemeteries such as the one in Weldon that is being restored. Moore discussed UDC ribbons and pins and how they are to be worn. Miller explained the activities of the Children of the Confederacy chapters and displayed a board of pictures showing events in which the various chapters had participated.

Kelly then recognized granddaughters, great-granddaughters, and great-great-granddaughters of Confederate veterans. Claudyne Brock gave the blessing. The Friends of the Postmaster's House provided an excellent luncheon for the assembly. While enjoying it, members visited and got to know one another.

After lunch, district recording secretary, Belva DeMendoza, president of the J.E.B. Stuart Chapter, read the minutes of the 2008 district meeting and held a roll call of chapters. She also gave a report of the activities of her chapter. Dorothy Thomas gave the report for the John Blue Chapter, and Catherine Baird gave the report for the Robeson Chapter.

The assembly then discussed plans for the state division convention that will be held in Fayetteville this October, hosted by District V. Paula Caddell drew names for door prizes, and Jean Slate and Martha Faircloth assisted in giving them out. Caddell led the assembly in the UDC hymn, "Blest be The Tie That Binds," and the meeting was adjourned.

Dallas Champion, husband of UDC Division President Emily Champion, took pictures of those attending, in front of the Postmaster's House.