with Gloria Holiday
Greetings from the City. Every week it is always a blessing to be with you. You may be reading this paper at your kitchen table, at work, out of state or overseas serving the country; wherever you are I would like to say, “Thank you and remember this is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Just a reminder that Father’s Day is on Sunday, June 19. It is time now to start looking for something special for your Dad. To all of the fathers out there, I hope you have a wonderful Father’s Day.
Tuesday, June 14, was Flag Day. In the United States, Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. Flag Day is a day for honoring the flag and what it stands for. It is the symbol of our great nation. It has flown in good times and bad. It has flown during peace time and war. It is an enduring symbol of freedom expressed all around the world. The U.S. Army also celebrated their 247th birthday on June 14.
Well, the rain has gone away for awhile, and the sun is out; the temperatures have been from 95-100 degrees and guess what? Summer will arrive on June 21. How HOT will it get this year? However, we do welcome the Summer Season in.
Did you know that June 12 is designated as Women Veterans Day? Being a Women Veteran, I had the privilege to attend a very outstanding program sponsored by DAR – Daughters of the American Revolution, Jackson-Madison Chapter. The keynote speaker was phenomenal! Commander (retired) Leanne Bruce Braddock spoke about “woman of true grit and courage,” such as Sarah Emma Edmonds, Elsie S. Ott, Army Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody and Colonel Lorna Mahlock. Just to name a few. The first Women Veterans Day was held June 12, 2018, marking the 70th anniversary of the groundbreaking Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, signed into law by President Harry S. Truman on June 12, 1948. That law enabled women to serve as permanent, regular members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force. The City of Henderson had three ladies to represent Chester County and received a certificate in recognition of Valor-Service-Sacrifice in service to our Nation; congratulations to Audria Reeves, US Army; Gloria Holiday, US Marine Corp; and Sergeant Bain, US Army. Thank you for your service!
I have a little brief history I want to share. Juneteenth is a holiday most Americans have never heard of but need to know about. Many black Americans will commemorate an important day in our nation’s history this weekend.
On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Lincoln, Union Army Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger marched his soldiers to Galveston, Texas, to spread the word that slavery had ended in America. Many of the nearly 250,000 still enslaved black men, women and children in the South had no clue that under the Emancipation Proclamation they were officially freed on Jan. 1, 1863. With the South in rebellion at the time the proclamation took effect, Lincoln had no way of enforcing it. Gen. Granger’s announcement slavery had been abolished sparked widespread celebrations among newly freed black Americans, culminating with the establishment of a spontaneous holiday on June 19, 1865 that they called Juneteenth. Although considered an official holiday in Texas since 1980, Juneteenth still goes largely unrecognized by our country as a whole. That is too bad.
On Saturday, June 18, we want you to come out to help celebrate Juneteenth. The celebration will take place at the Old Vincent High School – now known as North Chester County Alternative School, located at 186 Luray Ave, Henderson. The festivities will begin at noon with a lot of fun, food and entertainment. Program is sponsored by Oasis CDC. It is a FREE event with a FREE giveaway. For more information, call Brother Marles Flowers at 608-2222 or Sister Sylvia Flowers at 608-0835; do not miss this great event. Come one, come all! Hope to see you there!
The City of Henderson sends condolences to the family of Mrs. Mary Nell Guinn White. She was a friend to many. She was my first Director of Head Start when I started in 1997. Mrs. Mary Nell was well known in Chester County. She will be missed but not forgotten.
The City would like to say Happy Birthday to Brian Signaigo; he celebrated his birthday on June 12. Happy Birthday to Jerry Wilson on June 20 and his niece Trear Gilbert on June 20. Let us not forget to wish Ms. Shirley Wilson happy birthday on June 16. Happy Birthday to my sweet little cousin Zelmar Bass on June 19 and to my grandson LaDerrick Mean June 21. We pray the Lord will bless you to have many more!
On our prayer request list this week: Michael Rhodes family, Linda Swafford, Lisa Guinn Johnson Thomas, Ethan Joyner Thomas, Bill Overway and the Arnold family. Continue to pray for people that are in the hospitals, for the ones that are sick in their homes, for our children, teachers and families, for the men and women that are serving our country and for the incarcerated. Please remember to pray for OUR United States of America.
Let us continue to patronize with our local businesses here in town; try to support our own as much as we can. If you live in the City of Henderson and have news about your family, birthday, anniversary, announcements, and things happening in the City, I need to HEAR from you; call me at 731-989-1907/731-608-6132 and leave your message, or you may email me at gloria_holiday@msn.com.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO ALL THE FATHERS! Have a great week!
