Celebrating freedom
LISA HOBBS
News Editor
It was an event focused on family, friends and rejoicing June Nineteenth, the oldest known
commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, at Warren County Fairgrounds on Saturday.
The day, hosted by Young Men United, held a somber moment when festivities were halted and Sandra Cummings sang, “We’ll Understand it Better By and By,” a classic Gospel hymn that reminds us to trust God through life’s trials and uncertainties.
YMU vice president Ella Richmond then offered a heart-felt tribute to one of their own, a member gone but not forgotten.
“In memory of Donald Crisp, a visionary leader, tireless advocate and steadfast steward of Young Men United.
“Your unwavering dedication transformed lives, strengthened communities and aligned hearts toward a shared purpose.
“You led with integrity, compassion and a humble steadfastness that inspired us, volunteers and partners alike.
“May your dedication of service remind us that every act of kindness and every donation carries the power to create lasting good.
“Though you are no longer with us, your mission lives on in the programs you shaped, the people you mentored and the hope you shared.
“We honor your memory by re-committing to the values you championed, equity, impact, and dignity of every person we serve.
“Your commitment, the countless hours you donated and the lives you touched continue to guide work.
“With gratitude and resolve, we dedicate our future efforts to you.
“Rest in Peace Donald Crisp. Your light remains a beacon for all who carry the work you were involved in.”
Crisp passed away on June 11, 2024, at the age of 68. He was a former president of YMU and a member of the Black History Club.
Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation, bringing freedom to the last enslaved Black Americans. Although President Lincoln issued the proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, it unenforceable in Confederate-controlled territories like Texas. It took more than two years, and the end of the Civil War in April 1865, for the Union Army to reach the westernmost Confederate state.