Twitter
Facebook
Each year on June 19, communities across the nation pause to observe Juneteenth, a holiday rooted in the long American struggle for freedom, equality and human dignity.
For many, Juneteenth is a welcome summer holiday, but its history reaches back to June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the promise of freedom for enslaved people more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
That day, Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, delivered General Order No. 3, announcing that all enslaved people in Texas were free and that there would be “absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property” between former enslavers and those who had been enslaved.
For more than 250,000 enslaved people in Texas, freedom had been declared on paper, but Juneteenth marked the moment it became a lived reality.
At Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the holiday also serves as a reminder of the values that guide military medicine: dignity, fairness, representation, and trust.
“Celebrating events like Juneteenth reminds me of resilience and freedom; words often heard throughout the military and DHA,” said Amy Dungca, patient advocate at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. “It is a time that allows us to recognize, understand, and value each other’s varied backgrounds and histories.”
Dungca said that recognition strengthens communication, builds trust and helps create a more cohesive team.
The work of patient advocates at LRMC reflects many of the principles Juneteenth represents. The patient advocates’ core mission mirrors the core message of equality, justice, and representation.
“Patient Advocates exist to ensure that our patients are represented, treated fairly, and have a voice in their healthcare experience,” Dungca said. “Our patients have the right to the same high-quality, unbiased care.”
While LRMC’s Patient Advocate Office and Juneteenth operate in completely different spheres – one in military healthcare and the other in American history – both share broader underlying principles of justice, dignity, and equal treatment.
Patient advocates help protect the rights of service members, veterans, and their families navigating the military healthcare system. They ensure medical concerns and grievances are heard, reviewed, and addressed through the appropriate command and hospital channels.
Juneteenth, likewise, commemorates the enforcement of fundamental human rights after generations of enslavement. It marks not only the announcement of freedom, but also the recognition of the inherent dignity and equality of those who had long been denied both.
“Observing Juneteenth is a reminder of human dignity,” Dungca said. “If we allow ourselves to sit in the moment and remember the reason, we observe the holiday, we can use this day to reinforce our commitment to our patients by ensuring they are treated fairly and their voices are heard.”
Dungca said every person has a story, and listening to those stories is central to patient advocacy.
“Every person matters,” she said.
Lt. Col. Agela Iyanobor, deputy commander, Army Health Clinic Support Cell at LRMC said celebrating historical milestones like Juneteenth serves as a powerful reminder of our shared commitment to the core values of freedom, equality, and dignity for all.
“Understanding the diverse historical experiences of individuals allows healthcare providers to approach patients with greater empathy and sensitivity to their unique life journeys,” said Iyanobor. “Acknowledging the strength of those who overcame historical adversity encourages providers to support and uplift patients as they navigate their own health challenges and recoveries.
Iyanobor said when team members feel valued and respected for their unique perspectives, trust is built, directly enhancing operational readiness and our ability to operate as a cohesive, unified force.
“As a Service Member, it reinforces the solemn oath to support and defend the Constitution,” said Iyanobor. “It honors the resilience of those who fought for freedom and inspires a dedication to protecting the rights and liberties of all people today.”
The name Juneteenth is a blend of the words June and nineteenth. The holiday is often referred to as America’s second Independence Day. While July Fourth marks the birth of the nation, Juneteenth marks a later and essential step toward fulfilling the nation’s promise of liberty for all.
For generations, Juneteenth was preserved through local community gatherings, church picnics, parades, family reunions, and other traditions, first in Texas and later across the country as Black families migrated north and west. Texas became the first state to make it an official state holiday in 1980.
Traditional Juneteenth observances often include red food and drinks, such as strawberry soda and red velvet cake, symbolizing the resilience, sacrifice, and spiritual strength of those who came before.
The movement to recognize Juneteenth nationally gained momentum in the 21st century, led in part by advocates such as Opal Lee, often known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.” On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, making it the first new federal holiday established since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established in 1983.
For LRMC, observing Juneteenth is more than a historical reflection. It is a reminder that dignity, fairness and voice are not abstract ideals. They are daily responsibilities carried out in the way staff members care for patients, listen to concerns and uphold trust.
Celebrating Juneteenth reinforces LRMC’s commitment to giving every patient an equal voice, exceptional care, and the dignity they deserve.
