As the United States approaches 250 years of independence, there is a day of freedom in my mind that did not come until almost 90 years later. 

Recently, my fellow reporters and I were hard at work covering Sun Festival in Alex City where patriotic themes throughout the festival week were not lost, and soon I will cover a week-long celebration in Dadeville for America’s 250th birthday. I want to preface by stating it makes me happy to cover events celebrating such a milestone for our nation when we have seen many trying times. However, Juneteenth should not be ignored by the citizens of our country. 

Sarah Chase is a multimedia reporter for Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.