P R E S S R E L E A S E Nearly 140 years ago, William Silas Deal, a Synod representative of St. John's Lutheran church, enlisted with the NC Troops during the War Between the States. He enlisted at the age of forty, well past the age of required military service. William S. Deal fought for the Confederacy and was captured at the Battle of Hatcher's Run. He died of disease at Point Lookout prison, seven weeks after the war had ended. His bravery will finally be remembered with a memorial marker at St. John's Lutheran Church cemetery. The dedication ceremony will take place at St. John's Church, north of Conover, on Saturday, October 23rd, 2004 at 2:00 PM. In attendance will be the color guard of the CF Connor, Camp #849, Sons of Confederate Veterans as well as re-enactors from neighboring camps. Ladies from the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) and Order of the Confederate Rose (OCR) will attend with period costumes. Descendants and guests for this observance will be coming from as far away as California and Arkansas to pay their respects. The public is cordially invited to attend this event. The invocation will be given by the Rev. Scott Johnson of St. John's church and a rifle salute will be presented by members of the color guard. Further details can be found on the Internet at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~nccatawm/WmSDeal.htm Derick S. Hartshorn Conover, NC