Becky Reeves, of Winter Haven, and her two friends, Carolyn McGraw and Kay McGee, both of Lakeland, sat down to enjoy lunch at Palace Pizza in downtown Bartow on Tuesday, July 17. They had just come from the Polk County Historical Association museum across the street, having earlier attended this month’s Lunch ‘n’ Learn Speaker Series. The lecture they heard was by Tracy Revels, who spoke about the role of Florida women in the Civil War. For Reeves, McGraw and McGee, the lecture had significant meaning.

“All three of us are United Daughters of the Confederacy,” said McGraw.