Onslow County holds fifth official Juneteenth observance; community leaders call for hope and action

Onslow County and the City of Jacksonville held a Juneteenth observance led by the Onslow Civic Affairs Committee that combined ceremonial music, historical context and a keynote reflection urging civic engagement.

The program opened with music and remarks from a committee representative who said the county adopted Juneteenth as an official government holiday by unanimous Board of Commissioners action on April 5, 2021. The moderator also noted the national recognition of Juneteenth in mid‑June 2021 and described the flag’s symbolism: “the white star represents Texas… the curve behind the star is representative of a new horizon.”

Councilwoman Mickey Smith delivered an invocation asking for mercy, justice and thanksgiving. Attendees recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Anderson outlined the historical context of the Emancipation Proclamation and the subsequent 13th Amendment, describing how the Proclamation (effective Jan. 1, 1863) could not be enforced in Confederate-controlled areas and noting General Gordon Granger’s June 19, 1865, reading in Galveston that helped free people enslaved in Texas.

A Baylor University a cappella chorus performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which the moderator described as a hymn historically promoted by the NAACP as a Negro National Anthem.

Lashay Cavers, a retired U.S. Marine Corps gunnery sergeant and local business and civic leader, delivered the keynote reflection. Cavers held up a pocket replica of the Emancipation Proclamation and said Juneteenth “is what hope looks like,” describing hope as the force that sustained people through Jim Crow and segregation and that must now motivate action to address injustice. “Protest without change is a protest without purpose,” she said, urging listeners to pair advocacy with sustained civic work.

The Civic Affairs Committee described its role promoting civic education and coordinating observances in partnership with Jacksonville city officials, and invited attendees to other local Juneteenth events; Lisa Rice was named as a contact for community observances.

The observance concluded with closing remarks and music. No formal motions or county actions were taken during the program; the event was ceremonial and educational.