Creating Your Own Legacy

Every June 19, Americans celebrate Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and honors the resilience, hope, and determination of generations who fought for freedom. For military families, Juneteenth offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the meaning of liberty, celebrate diversity, and teach our children about the ongoing journey toward a more perfect union.

More than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 186. Standing before residents, he announced General Order No. 3, declaring that all enslaved people in Texas were free. For the approximately 250,000 enslaved African Americans in Texas, this news marked a life-changing moment of liberation.

The newly freed communities immediately began celebrating. They gathered for prayer services, family reunions, music, storytelling, and community meals. These celebrations became known as “Juneteenth,” combining the words June and nineteenth. Over the decades, Juneteenth grew into an annual tradition honoring freedom, family, education, and cultural heritage.

The legacy of Juneteenth extends far beyond a single day in history. It reminds us that freedom is not merely declared—it must be protected, understood, and shared. The holiday encourages Americans to confront difficult chapters of history while celebrating the progress that has been made.

For military families, Juneteenth carries special significance. Service members and their families understand sacrifice, resilience, and the responsibility of preserving freedom. Military communities are often among the most diverse communities in the nation, bringing together families from different races, cultures, and backgrounds. Juneteenth provides an opportunity to learn from one another, strengthen community bonds, and teach our children the value of respecting every person’s story.

In 2016, at the age of 89, the “Mother of Juneteenth“, Opal Lee, a retired teacher, counselor, and lifelong activist, began campaigning by walking 2.5 miles in various cities across the United States. She organized awareness walks, collected thousands of signatures, spoke at different community centers and schools, met with congressmen advocating for legislation, and most of all, kept national attention on Juneteenth.

Today, Juneteenth celebrations occur across the country through festivals, educational programs, parades, concerts, and family gatherings. On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, making it the 11th federal holiday in the United States. The heart of Juneteenth remains unchanged: remembering the past, celebrating freedom, and investing in future generations.

As parents, we have the privilege of helping our children understand both the triumphs and challenges that shaped our nation. Conversations about Juneteenth can teach children about courage, perseverance, empathy, and the importance of standing up for justice. These lessons help build character and create informed citizens who appreciate the freedoms they enjoy today.

Whether your family has celebrated Juneteenth for generations or this is your first year observing the holiday, June 19 provides a meaningful opportunity to pause, learn, and connect. By sharing stories, honoring history, and creating traditions together, we ensure that the legacy of Juneteenth continues to inspire future generations.

Here are some ways my family is planning on celebrating Juneteenth this year and different major events happening around the country that you can engage with to celebrate. This year, choose an activity or two that can help you not only connect with history but with those around you. We can build a community of acceptance, unity, and legacy.

The Freedom & Gratitude Jar

Supplies:

1. Mason Jar or container
2. Red, green, yellow, and black paper slips
3. Markers, chalk, or pens

Activity:

Gather your family, friends, military circle, or neighbors over on Juneteenth.

Give each person 3-5 slips of paper.

On each slip of paper, jot down the following:

• A freedom you are grateful for.
• A family story of resilience.
• A lesson you want future generations to remember.
• A person who inspires courage and perseverance.

Read a few of the slips out loud, place them in the jar, and continue to add new ones as they come up or each Juneteenth. Creating this jar will keep legacy and love alive within your family and your community. The more we can think it, the more it will become! Remember, freedom is worth celebrating, remembering, and passing on to future generations.

City Celebrations (Listed are the cities with the largest military populations):

Fayetteville, NC : 

• 2026 Juneteenth Jubilee: Friday, 19, 2026 from 5-11 PM @ Festival Park, 335 Ray Ave. Fayetteville, NC 28301.
• A Taste of Soul! A Juneteenth Dinner Experience: Friday, June 19, 2026 at 6PM @ 143 Maxwell, 143 Maxwell Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301.
• Juneteenth Jubilee 5K Freedom Run: Saturday, June 20, 2026 (Morning, standard race times apply) @ Historic Downtown Fayetteville.

Killeen, TX :

• Juneteenth 5K Freedom Run: Saturday, June 20, 2026 – 6:30 AM @ Downtown Killeen (Starting line on East Ave. D)
• Killeen Juneteenth Parade: Saturday, June 20, 2026 – 10 AM @ Killeen City Hall, 101 N. College Street, Killeen, TX 76541
• Downtown Juneteenth Festival: Saturday, June 20, 2026 – 11 AM – 3 PM @ Historic Downtown Killeen

San Antonio, TX:

• Official San Antonio Juneteenth Festival: Friday – Saturday, June 19 -20, 2026 – 9 AM daily @ Comanche Park No. 2, 2600 Rigsby Ave. San Antonio, TX 78222
• Juneteenth Youth Freedom Fest: Saturday, June 20, 2026 – 1-4 PM @ MLK Cultural & Business Center, 3455 Martin Luther King Drive, San Antonio, TX 78220.

Tacoma, WA :

– Juneteenth WA: A Road to Economic Freedom: Friday, June 19, 2026 – 12- 6 PM @ Haub Family Field At LeMay – America’s Car Museum, 2702 E D St, Tacoma, WA 98421.

Norfolk, VA:

• Juneteenth Norfolk Celebration: Friday, June 19 – Saturday, June 20, 2026 (12-11 PM) & Sunday, June 21, 2026 (12-8 PM) @ Town Point Park, 113 Waterside Drive, Norfolk, VA 23510
• 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration & Parade: Saturday, June 20, 2026 – 10 AM – 5 PM @ Diggs Town Rental Office – Richard A. Tucker Memorial Library
• Juneteenth Freddom Fireworks: Friday, June 19, 2026 – 9:30 PM @ Elizabeth River

Oceanside, CA :

• NSDC NAACP Juneteenth Cultural Celebration: Saturday, June 20, 2026 – 10 AM- 5 PM @ Oceanside Civic Center Plaza down Pier View Way

Jacksonville, FL : 

• Jax Melanin Market Juneteenth Celebration: Saturday, June 20, 2026 – 3 PM – 9 PM @ A. Philip Randolph Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32206.
• Juneteenth Gospel & Jazz Sunrise Breakfast: Saturday, June 20, 2026 – 9 AM
• Jacksonville Juneteenth Celebration at Daily’s Place: Friday, June 19, 2026 @ Daily’s Place Amphitheater, EverBank Stadium Campus

Fort Worth, TX : 

• Opal’s Walk for Freedom: Friday, June 19, 2026 – 9 AM @ Will Rogers Square, 3401 West Lancaster Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76107
• The 7-Day Freedom Vibes Festival 

Take time to look up different events in your city and share them with friends, family, other military families, and if there are no events, you could maybe plan one at your duty station and share with the collective!