The Record: Remembering an attitude of gratitude

From the band’s 50th year to Juneteenth to a new historical marker in Memphis, this July edition is about looking back with thanks

It’s always a good time — a good thing — to take a little time for reflection and remembering. I usually take a little more time in the month of July, because it’s my birthday.

I think about the roads I’ve traveled, and even the paths I did not take.

When I survey the pluses and the minuses, I always walk away remembering that I have a lot to be thankful for, and many reasons to have an attitude of gratitude.

I hope that when you survey your own situation, no matter what it is, you will be able to remember the things you are thankful for, and that you, too, will find reasons to have an attitude of gratitude.

This July edition of the paper is about remembering.

A Nation’s 250th Birthday

Many of us will remember that on July 4, our country is celebrating its 250th birthday. A lot has happened over that time, but one thing is for certain: we are free because someone has always been fighting for that freedom. Crispus Attucks, an African American, was the first casualty of the Boston Massacre — the first American to give his life in the cause that would keep freedom in our country’s hands.

Fifty Years of the Abilene Community Band

As we celebrate this Fourth of July, many of us will also remember the bicentennial celebration in Abilene, where many of us gathered at the Abilene Civic Center, holding hands. I think I still have that poster somewhere. But something else was also underway that year: the formation of the Abilene Community Band.

At the helm of that band today is a man who was there in 1976. Joe Stephens is going into his 51st year as a member of the band, and his 49th year directing it. I would encourage you to read the story about the Community Band in this edition and take a look at some of the photographs. Do you realize that this 50-year-old band has now been with us for 20 percent of the time America has existed?

Remembering Juneteenth and True Freedom

In this edition of the paper, we also talk about Juneteenth. One of our young scholars said that she truly considers June 19 to be her Independence Day. And it’s worth remembering: independence is all about freedom. Although African Americans had been in this country for many years, it was not until 1865, when General Granger came to Galveston, Texas, and announced that the enslaved people of Texas were free, that all Americans could truly be said to be free.

That is why so many people today — Black, white, Hispanic and other races — celebrate Juneteenth. Unless we are all free, none of us are truly free.

Remembering Grover C. Everett

In this particular issue, we also bring you the Grover C. Everett’s story. A few years ago, Amy Boone knew nothing of Grover C. Everett, a man lynched in Abilene in 1922. Once she learned who he was, she spent her time remembering him and working with the Equal Justice Initiative of Montgomery, Alabama, to secure a historical marker so that we would all remember who Grover C. Everett was.

On a hot day, June 20, 2026, members of the community came together to remember Grover C. Everett — how he lived and how he died.

A Marker in Memphis, Texas

And then we travel a little outside our region, to Memphis, Texas, where we remember the Hughes School first — built in 1906 to educate white children in Hall County.

As things evolved, a man named Tim McFall needed a place to worship, and he went to the brethren at the White Church of Christ, who helped him secure what used to be Hughes School. It has been the Morningside Church of Christ since the early 1950s.

Neal Hughs, a descendant of the Hughes family, believed that the congregation that has worshiped in that old building for 74 years should be recognized. A few weeks ago, a historical marker was placed at the Morningside Church of Christ in Memphis, Texas.

Thank You, God

Yes, remembering is very important.

And I think when we remember everything — even though not everything has necessarily been good — we should all remember to say: Thank you, God. Thank you for this country. Thank you for my friends. Thank you for my neighbors.

Would you remember, please?

Freedom of the Press

We have all heard the saying freedom is really not free. That certainly could be used when we talk about the freedom of the press. Some people have actually lost their lives bringing the news.

On a more basic level these papers are free to the public but that does not mean there is no cost. We certainly thank our current advertisers and we would encourage other businesses to join the ranks.

If you are not a business owner but like what we do at the Tribune and can afford to, would you consider making a donation? We are a 501(c)(3). All donations are tax-deductible.

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Floyd Miller is a Financial Advisor with Osaic Wealth, Publisher of the West Texas Tribune, host of the It’s Everything West Texas podcast, and a public speaker.