Over 100 people attended the annual Confederate Memorial Day held by the John Blue Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy on Saturday, May 16, at Old Bethesda Church and Cemetery.

This event has been a tradition of the Chapter since 1978. They were assisted by the Sons of the Confederate Veterans of the Scotch Rifleman Camp of Moore County and the John A. Liske Camp of Montgomery County.

Eight members attended dressed in Confederate uniforms, raised and lowered the flag and fired a volley with their rifles. Four ladies were dressed in period costumes. Members of the SCV and Rufus Barringer Civil War Round Table also attended.

Chapter president Dorothy Thomas welcomed the crowd. Chaplain Louise Buchan led in the pledges, prayers and rituals. Paula Caddell played the guitar and led the group in singing "The Star Spangled Banner," "The Old North State," and "Dixie."

Second vice-president Elain Lytton introduced the speaker, author Lauren Cooke Wike. Her presentation pertained to her two books on women who fought in the Civil War.

SCV member David Wall played "Taps." Dr. Dennis Sheppard called the names of the veterans. Dorothy Thomas read short sketches of information on the military careers of the veterans. John Sloan gave out wreaths and flags to place on the graves.