The Raleigh community is honoring Black soldiers who fought in the Civil War on Juneteenth.
A memorial tribute with a wreath laying ceremony was held at the Raleigh National Cemetery on Thursday, June 19.
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The U.S. Colored Troops were a regiment of mostly Black soldiers who fought for the Union during the Civil War. More than 200,000 men are listed as a part of the regiment at the National Archives.
These men made up 10% of the Union Army and 25% of the Union Navy, according to the African American Civil War Memorial Museum.
Their role was critical in the Union winning the Civil War which led to the end of slavery.
Selena Worrell works to maintain the grounds of the Raleigh National Cemetery. She says the U.S. Colored Troops are often a forgotten part of history.
“The members of the United States Colored Troops were men who fought with courage and conviction in the Civil War, and their legacy will go on forever," Worrell said. "Their legacy is very powerful and it's our duty to make sure their legacy is preserved."
Marbles Kids Museum guest engagement manager of training and inclusion Shenette Swann said Thursday's event is designed to be family-friendly and highlight celebrations of freedom, community and culture.
"Juneteenth is still a great, big celebration and though some of the history may be difficult to explain to children, children do understand joy, fun and play,” Swann said. “That's our role at Marble's Kids Museum is to introduce them to joy, celebration and play."
On Thursday, Brittany Moore visited Moore Square to take part in the Juneteenth celebration.
"I just wanted to make sure that I continue to push that celebration forward," Moore said. "In this country, sometimes, we're not always celebrated."
The celebrations come amid a tense political climate with the rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at the state and federal levels. Moore said celebrations like Thursday can help combat the uncertainty.
"We're in a time where a lot of things are being taken away from people who look like me," Moore said. "It's important that we're represented and celebrated as well as financially backed."
There are Juneteenth celebrations happening across the Triangle to honor this national holiday.
It includes the Capital City Juneteenth Celebration Committee holding a tribute at the Raleigh National Cemetery to honor the U.S. Colored Troops, a group of mostly Black soldiers who fought for the Union during the Civil War.
Twenty-six of the soldiers are buried at the Raleigh National Cemetery. Their role was critical in the Union winning the Civil War, leading to the end of slavery.
“They need to know what has come before, that folks have sacrificed for them before,” said Capital City Juneteenth Celebration Committee Chair Anita Middleton Pearson. “So, keeping the history alive is important.”