News>AAHC raises support for local students at Juneteenth Fish Fry
Story at a Glance
• The proceeds from events hosted by the AAHC, like the Juneteenth Fish Fry, are placed toward scholarships and school supplies for local area schools. • The AAHC at Charleston was formed to help promote awareness of ethnic diversity and cultural appreciation throughout the year, as opposed to only focused efforts during African American History Month. • To become a member of the AAHC or learn more, contact Master Sgt. Angela Powell at 963-2913 or angela.powell1@charleston.af.mil.
Photos
Alphonso Jones fries a batch of fish at the third annual Juneteenth Fish Fry at the base picnic grounds on Joint Base Charleston, S.C., June 17, 2010. The Juneteenth Fish Fry is a celebration of the delayed emancipation of Texan African Americans in 1865. The event was hosted by the African American Heritage Council to commemorate this historical event. Mr. Jones is a project manager with the 628th Communications Squadron. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren Main)
Senior Master Sgt. Terry Jones breads fish to be fried at the third annual Juneteenth Fish Fry on Joint Base Charleston, S.C., June 17, 2010. The event was hosted by the African American Heritage Council and all proceeds from the event are put toward scholarships and school supplies for local area schools. Sergeant Jones is the superintendent of aviation management with the 437th Operations Support Squadron. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren Main)
Members of Joint Team Charleston help fry fish for the third annual Juneteenth Fish Fry at the base picnic grounds on Joint Base Charleston, S.C., June 17, 2010. Army Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger traveled to Glaveston, Texas, 145 years ago and issued the proclamation that all those still enslaved were free. The fish fry hosted annually by the African American Heritage Council commemorates this historical event. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren Main)
Members of Joint Team Charleston line up to be served lunch at the third annual Juneteenth Fish Fry on Joint Base Charleston, S.C., June 17, 2010. The event was hosted by the African American Heritage Council and all proceeds from the event are put toward scholarships and school supplies for local area schools. The council awards three scholarships to high school students ranging from $250 to $500. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren Main)
by Airman 1st Class Lauren Main
Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
6/23/2010 - JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The African American Heritage Council held its third annual Juneteenth Fish Fry at the picnic grounds here June 17 in honor of the emancipation Texan African Americans several years after the end of the Civil War.
On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers, led by Army Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that the war had ended and all still enslaved were free.
When General Granger addressed the people 145 years ago, it was recorded he said, "The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free."
However, this was two and a half years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official Jan. 1, 1863. The fish fry hosted annually by the African American Heritage Council commemorates this historical event.
The proceeds from events hosted by the AAHC, like the Juneteenth Fish Fry, are placed toward scholarships and school supplies for local area schools.
The AAHC at Charleston was formed to help promote awareness of ethnic diversity and cultural appreciation throughout the year, as opposed to only focused efforts during African American History Month, said Tech. Sgt. Keneethia Kennard, 628th Air Base Wing Military Equal Opportunity NCO in charge.
Throughout the year, the council awards scholarships to high school students ranging from $250 to $500. The scholarships are awarded based on academic merit in conjunction with essay contests, said Sergeant Kennard.
To become a member of the AAHC or learn more, contact Master Sgt. Angela Powell at 963-2913 or angela.powell1@charleston.af.mil.
