The public is invited to a patriotic service at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Stanback Auditorium of the Rowan Public Library. Members of the Robert F. Hoke Chapter No. 78, United Daughters of the Confederacy, will honor current day veterans whose ancestors served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.

Government, state, and POW-MIA flags will be displayed, as well as those of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard.

Seven veterans who served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force will receive a Cross of Military Service during the Bestowal Service.

They are:

• William D. Kenerly of Salisbury, who served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in Co. M, 3^rd Battalion, 3^rd Marine Regiment. He will receive a Vietnam Conflict Cross of Military Service. His great-grandfather, Thomas Davis Rice, enlisted in Davie County in September 1863 and served in Co. B, 10^th Regiment Virginia Calvary until the end of the war.

• James T. Rorie of Kannapolis, who served as a sergeant in the U.S. Air Force in the 834^th Air Division, will receive a Vietnam Conflict Cross of Military Service. His great-grandfather, William Thomas Rorie, enlisted in Anson County in May 1861 and served in Co. A, 23^rd N.C. Infantry. He was captured at Winchester, Va., in September 1864 and sent to the military prison at Point Lookout, Md., until exchanged in March 1865.

• Anthony W. Sloop of Kannapolis, who served as a specialist fourth class in the U.S. Army in B Battery, 1^st Battalion, 92^nd Artillery, will receive a Vietnam Conflict Cross of Military Service. His great-great-grandfather, John Cyrus Barnhardt, enlisted in Rowan County in March 1862 and served in Co. G, 6^th N.C. Infantry. He was captured at Rappahannock Station, Va., and sent to the military prison at Point Lookout, Md., before being exchanged around March 1865.

• Terry L. Childers of Kannapolis, who served as a lance corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps in the 3^rd Battalion, 5^th Marine Regiment, will receive a Vietnam Conflict Cross of Military Service. His great-great-grandfather, Silas Deal, enlisted in North Carolina and served in Co. E, 39^th N.C. Infantry until released as a prisoner of war in Citronellanin May 1865.

• Mitchell E. Lefler of Concord, who served as a senior master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force in the 145^th Airlift Wing, will receive a Global War on Terror Cross of Military Service. His great-great grandfather, Daniel A. Lefler, enlisted in Stanly County in February 1865 and served in Co. D, 28^th N.C. Infantry. He was captured in Petersburg, Va., and taken to the military prison at Hart’s Island, N.Y., and released as a POW in June 1865.

• Jason A. Childers of Kannapolis, who served as a petty officer second class in the U.S. Navy on the USS Nashville, will receive a Global War on Terror Cross of Military Service. His great-great-great grandfather, Silas Deal, resided in Alexander County and served in Co. E, 39^th N.C. Infantry until released as a POW in Citronella in May 1865.

• Christopher D. Berns of China Grove, who served as a specialist in the U.S. Army, 2-69^th Armor Regiment, 3^rd  Brigade, 3^rd  Infantry, will receive a Global War on Terror Cross of Military Service. His great-great-great grandfather, Jacob Lynn, enlisted at Center Hall, Ga.,  in July 1861 and served in Co. B, 16^th Georgia Regiment. He was captured and sent to the military prison at Elmira, N.Y., before being exchanged at the James River in Virginia in March 1865.

“Patriotic” and “memorial” are two of the five objectives of the UDC, and during the month of May, the Hoke Chapter recognizes veterans and their families on May 10, North Carolina Confederate Memorial Day; May 18, Armed Forces Day; May 20, North Carolina Secession Day; and May 27, Memorial Day.

The Chapter is collecting personal care items such as shampoo, liquid soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste for the hospitalized veterans at the Salisbury Hefner VA Medical Center and would like to invite those interested to bring donations to the service. Items collected will be delivered to the VA Voluntary Service Office at the Medical Center.

On Saturday, U.S. Navy veteran Ed Curtis will speak on “Veterans of Yesterday and Today.” Curtis is a retired veterans employment representative with the N.C. Employment Security Commission.

Local artist John Hartley will exhibit some of his patriotic paintings. His art is part of the displays at the Price of Freedom Museum in Rowan County.

Hoke Chapter President Sue Curtis and Recorder of Military Service Awards Nancy Sloop will bestow the awards using the UDC Ritual. Patriotic music will be presented by pianist Gwen Sembroski. All former recipients of patriotic UDC medals are invited to attend and be recognized.

In an earlier service conducted March 15, a WWII Cross of Military Service was presented to John B. Fisher of Salisbury. Fisher served as a technician fourth class in the U.S. Army in the 148^th Infantry Regiment, 37^th Division. His grandfather, John Valentine Fisher, enlisted in Cabarrus County in August 1861 and served in Co. H, 8^th N.C. Infantry. He was captured at Roanoke Island in 1862 and served as color corporal for his company in 1863 prior to being transferred to the field and staff of his regiment in September 1864.