“Great nations don’t ignore their most painful moments,” Mr. Biden said during a signing ceremony in the East Room of the White House, surrounded by lawmakers and guests, including Opal Lee, a Texas activist who campaigned to make Juneteenth a national holiday. “Great nations don’t walk away. We come to terms with the mistakes we made. And remembering those moments, we begin to heal and grow stronger.”
President Joseph Biden
6/17/2021
Logo artist: Deborah Brooks Walker
Juneteenth Means Freedom and Celebration
The Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation will not have its annual celebration this month due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are excited about planning for a 2022 celebration. We are submitting this article to provide you a way to observe Juneteenth 2021. Through this writing, we have an opportunity to share the history, the mission and the spirit of Juneteenth celebrations in Lafayette County, MO. We ask that you wear your Juneteenth t-shirt especially on June 19 and during the month of June.
Juneteenth celebrations have been held in our county since 2005. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery. June 19, 1865, union soldiers, led by General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with 2000 Federal troops to issue the order that the Civil War had ended and that all slaves were free. This was two and half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation that had become official on January 1, 1863.
Discussions to host a celebration began during some “porch talks” between Reverend Wilbur Conway, Arron Haynes, and Linda Smith in 2004. The group agreed that it needed to be a county-wide effort with volunteers from communities in Lafayette County. The group wanted a parade, positive activities for the family, a day free of any alcohol consumption, and a focus on education about the historical and cultural contributions of African-Americans.. From their brainstorming and attending other celebrations, the first official meeting was held on September 9, 2004. The NAACP Mar-Saline branch hosted this meeting and provided seed money. The event theme was “Staying Alive in 2005.”
Committee members who planned the first 2005 Lafayette County Juneteenth Celebration were Arron Haynes-chairperson, Alvin Walker-vice-chairperson, Linda Smith-secretary, Norman Haynes- treasurer, Reverend Wilbur Conway-events and parade coordinator, Lucille Williams-co coordinator, Deborah Walker-publicity coordinator, Dale and Deborah Mays-clean-up coordinators, Keith Bass-security coordinator, Marjorie Hannon-assistant secretary, Mable Hawkins, Finnus Johnson, Fred Smith-horshoe tournament coordinator, Kiree Haynes, Clyde Benton, Patricia Elmore, Bruce Cole, Tammra Cole, Dr. Corrine Conway, Ron Miller, Yvette O'Dell, and Raymond Nichols. Volunteers were from Higginsville, Lexington, Odessa, MO and other towns.
The 2019 annual celebration with the theme “United We Stand: Now or Never!” was a two-day observance that was held at the community building, in addition to a bus trip out of town to see African- American historical sites, Rose M. Nolen Black History Museum in Sedalia, MO and Pennytown in Saline County. Ray Shepard, a historian and author of young adult biography, Now or Never! 54th Massachusetts Infantry’s War to End Slavery. Shepard was a dynamic keynote speaker. He was born in Sedalia, MO. Other activities were a flag raising ceremony conducted by Scout troop #415, a meet and greet brunch for community groups to share about their services. Hazel Johnson, Fred Smith, James Watkins, and Emanuel Mason were on the special panel who grew up during the Civil Rights era. Allan Lee was the moderator. The group shared personal stories of positive and negative experiences,. There was a special commemoration event held at the Mount Muncie Cemetery in Higginsville, MO. The cemetery was organized in 1900 for the burial of African-Americans. Perry Parker, Joshua Johnson, and Charles Smith, three United States Colored Troop veterans, who served in the Union Army during the Civil War were honored. Volunteers from the the American Legion Post #223 of Higginsville, MO conducted a 21-gun salute. A crew team from the 41 KSHB news station interviewed committee members and the service was featured in that evening's news broadcast.
During the celebration in 2018, many of us learned about the Battle of Island Mound from our guest speaker, Brigadier General, Donald L. Scott, USA, (Ret.). He showed a special documentary about the Union victory that was the first time an African- American regiment fought against Confederate soldiers. The Battle of Island Mound was a Civil War skirmish that occurred on October 29, 1862 in Bates County, MO. General Scott shared about his memoir, Recipient of Grace. He grew up in Hunnewell, MO which is close to Hannibal, MO.
Over the years, a priority has been to develop partnerships with local individual businesses, community and civic organizations, area county and state agencies, schools, and youth-serving organizations. Local mayors and state representatives attended celebrations and provided proclamations. We have formed some valuable relationships that are county and state-wide. Area businesses participated in buying ads for the souvenir booklets and giving donations. We have long-term relationships with some chapters of the Buffalo Soldiers which helped to educate others about their origin, military service and accomplishments. A local Marshall, MO resident, the late Margaret Banty, for years was committed to displaying her collection of items that were invented by black people. She brought a display annually until her death. Other agencies who provided displays or presentations were the Missouri Museum, The University Extension, a girl scout troop, veterans groups, Lafayette County Health Department, Missouri Conservation Department, CERT, Confederate Historic State Park, and area churches.
Music has been a highlight at past celebrations. David Carr, Jr jazz musician from Texas was a favorite performer, in addition to local disc jockeys, local performers, gospel groups, local bands, and music student program performances. Over the years, the highlight of our parades were horseback clubs, youth entries and several drill teams, the Marching Cobras, the Marching Falcons, and the Marching Tigers.
Special children activities have included displays, parades, horseback rides, carnival games, and 3 on 3 basketball competition. Youth speakers have given motivating presentations.
There have been special awards given. At the 2013 celebration, the theme was Freedom For All” and we held the Spirit of Freedom Awards. Some members of the Class of 1956 were honored for being the first African-Americans who graduated in the year when Lafayette County schools were integrated. The following honorees were: Myrlon Edwards, Reverend Wilbur Conway, Fred Smith, Travis Benton, Edward Haynes (deceased), James Calbert (deceased) all attended the Higginsville High School. Lexington High School graduates were Nina Miller Dixon (deceased), James Bolton (deceased), Sophia Bolton Haynes, (deceased) Robert Lee Smith, John L. Slaughter (deceased), and Zelma West Richardson was a graduate of Odessa High School. Area school superintendents gave special gifts. Family members of deceased honorees accepted their awards. We were pleased to have Abraham Lincoln on our program through enacter, Dale Felder. The 2013 souvenir booklet provided information titled, “A Timeline of Lafayette County & African Americans.
Over the years we have evolved into a foundation and have non-profit status. We operate as the Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation. We have a Facebook page that has many historical facts and our activities. We have a blog, https://lafayettecountyjuneteenth.blogspot.com.
Over the years, many people have served on our committee. The current committee members are Arron Haynes-chairperson, Deborah May-vice chairperson, Linda G. Smith,-secretary treasurer, Ron Miller, Everett Williams, James Watkins, Julia D. Hunter, Sheila Haynes, and Evelyn Trigg. We are always seeking youth and adults who want to help us with our upcoming events. We seek ways to partner with other groups. We are excited to participate in the Missouri Bicentennial county activities in 2022.
The Mission Statement of the Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation
Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation mission statement is to develop and implement a one-day festival that promotes the celebration of family, celebrates African-American freedom, and cultivates mutual involvement of social service entities, and economic participation of the county-wide business community.
The Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation is a non-profit organization under 501(c) (3).
For further information contact Arron Haynes, chairperson, (816) 419-3704 or email: abhaynes@ctcis.net.
