Yokota Juneteenth Gala celebrates freedom

Yokota Juneteenth Gala celebrates freedom

Chief Master Sgt. Patrick Holmes, 374th Civil Engineer Squadron senior enlisted leader, delivers a speech during the Juneteenth Gala held at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 17, 2023. Juneteenth is a celebration of the events of June 19, 1865, when the people of Galveston, Texas, were notified of their freedom by presidential decree, and the day was officially declared a federal holiday in 2021. President Joe Biden declared in 2022, “Emancipation marked the beginning, not the end, of America’s work to deliver on the promise of equality. To honor the true meaning of Juneteenth, we must not rest until we deliver the promise of America for all Americans.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey)

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Yokota Juneteenth Gala celebrates freedom

Staff Sgt. Jessica Avallone (left), 374th Airlift Wing public affairs specialist, and Portre Rowe, a Yokota African American Heritage Association member, receive an award during the Juneteenth Gala held at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 17, 2023. Juneteenth is a celebration of the events of June 19, 1865, when the people of Galveston, Texas, were notified of their freedom by presidential decree, and the day was officially declared a federal holiday in 2021. President Joe Biden declared in 2022, “Emancipation marked the beginning, not the end, of America’s work to deliver on the promise of equality. To honor the true meaning of Juneteenth, we must not rest until we deliver the promise of America for all Americans.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey)

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Yokota Juneteenth Gala celebrates freedom

Attendees listen to a rendition of “Lift every Voice and Sing” during the Juneteenth Gala held at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 17, 2023. On January 1, 1863, or “Freedom’s Eve,” the Emancipation Proclamation took effect at midnight and declared all enslaved people in the United States of America were now legally free. However, it wouldn’t be until June 19, 1865, that the enslaved people of Galvaston, Texas, finally received word from arriving Union soldiers that they were now free by executive decree. This day became known as “Juneteenth” by the newly freed people in Texas, and officially declared a federal holiday in 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey)

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Yokota Juneteenth Gala celebrates freedom

Attendees serve themselves at a buffet during the Juneteenth Gala held by the Yokota African American Heritage Association at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 17, 2023. The Yokota AAHA is a non-profit organization that works to promote, educate, and integrate African American culture, history and heritage throughout the Team Yokota community. The Juneteenth Gala was a celebration of the events of June 19, 1865, when the people of Galvaston, Texas, were notified of their freedom by presidential decree, and the day was officially declared a federal holiday in 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey)

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Yokota Juneteenth Gala celebrates freedom

An African American Heritage Association member prepares to serve a cake for attendees of the Juneteenth Gala held at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 17, 2023. The Yokota AAHA is a non-profit organization that works to promote, educate, and integrate African American culture, history and heritage throughout the Team Yokota community. The Juneteenth Gala was a celebration of the events of June 19, 1865, when the people of Galvaston, Texas, were notified of their freedom by presidential decree, and the day was officially declared a federal holiday in 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey)

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Yokota Juneteenth Gala celebrates freedom

Attendees dance during the Juneteenth Gala held at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 17, 2023. On January 1, 1863, or “Freedom’s Eve,” the Emancipation Proclamation took effect at midnight and declared all enslaved people in the United States of America were now legally free. However, it wouldn’t be until June 19, 1865, that the enslaved people of Galveston, Texas, finally received word from arriving Union soldiers that they were now free by executive decree. This day became known as “Juneteenth” by the newly freed people in Texas, and officially declared a federal holiday in 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey)

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The Yokota African American Heritage Association hosted a Juneteenth Gala at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 17, 2023. Juneteenth is a celebration of the events of June 19, 1865, when the people of Galveston, Texas, were notified of their freedom by presidential decree, and the day was officially declared a federal holiday in 2021. President Joe Biden declared in 2022, “Emancipation marked the beginning, not the end, of America’s work to deliver on the promise of equality. To honor the true meaning of Juneteenth, we must not rest until we deliver the promise of America for all Americans.”