Today is a Holiday. Although it is new as a holiday, many have celebrated it for 160 years. It was the real end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth, I recall, was especially celebrated in Texas, where the last of slavery finally ended two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. News was slow 160 years ago. Now news is instant, but often too fast to be vetted.

Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and issued General Order No. 3 that officially announced the end of slavery in Texas. Yes, Texas was last to do the right thing. Figures.

Resilience and progress are great things to celebrate today. There are many things that still call us to work for progress and to be resilient. Currently, working on Pierce County to do the right thing with wetland management is a long-term struggle. Of course, the issues of crime levels, homelessness, and high housing costs are also long-term struggles.

Maybe we could call it the – Hang in there, we will fix it – day.

What we don’t need is the – we will kick your problems to the curb – day.

If it needs fixing, there are many of us that can help you create an organization to address the issue. Just ask.