Published: January 08, 2009 04:14 pm      

Annual Robert E. Lee/Stonewall Jackson event set for Jan. 24

The Longstreet/Zollicoffer Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans will host its 16th annual celebration of the birthdays of Robert E. Lee and Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson at the Foundry Restaurant located at the north end of World's Fair Park in downtown Knoxville on Saturday, Jan. 24. The program will be a musical presentation by musician, songwriter, author, playwright, actor and storyteller Stan Clardy titled "The Story Behind the Songs."

Southern born and bred, Clardy was raised in a small town in South Georgia and currently lives in North Carolina. He has been exposed to different types and styles of music since childhood and enjoys playing multiple instruments and singing.

Clardy has received several awards for the one-man play he wrote, "Soldiers in Gray," which he performed for the 10th anniversary Lee-Jackson celebration. In 2003, he released his first book, Timelight, a Journey into the Past, a fictional, historical account about the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley, the War between the States and the siege of Charleston during 1863-64. Clardy also loves creating music from that period in time and has a CD of music inspired by the book. Clardy and his wife, Cathy, also join together to offer nine different programs for schools, civic and historic groups.

"We are honored to have Stan back with us again this year," said Ron Jones, commander of Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 87, which sponsors the annual event held on Saturday nearest the birthdays of the two Southern heroes. "Stan's presentation six years ago was enjoyed by all who attended and we look forward to a new program by this defender of Confederate and Southern heritage."

Each year individuals gather to honor the births of Lee and Jackson who were born Jan. 19, 1807, and Jan. 21, 1824, respectively. In Tennessee, Lee's birthday is an official State Day of Special Observance.

The Lee/Jackson dinner is open to the public. Everyone is welcome.

"This is always a dignified, family friendly event with a dress code," Jones said.

Men are encouraged to wear jackets and ties. Business or period attire are also acceptable. The dinner will open with a brief drill and flag presentation ceremony by uniformed Confederate re-enactors.

Doors open at 6 p.m. for a social hour. The buffet-style dinner at 7 p.m. Cost is $29 per adult and $15 per child 12 and under. Several door prizes will be awarded. Advance reservations with full payment are required and must be received no later than Jan. 21 as seating is limited.

Mail reservation requests with payments to Lee/Jackson Day Dinner, c/o SCV Camp 87, P.O. Box 943, Knoxville, TN 37901. Make checks payable to Lee/Jackson Dinner.

For additional information, call Jones at (865) 947-3394; John Hitt, (865) 689-4592; Wallace Ashe, (865) 688-3840; or Brian Fox, (865) 986-5259.