SWIMMING FROM SLAVERY Honoring National Slavery Remembrance Day During America’s 250th Anniversary The Courageous Escape from Slavery of Rev. Greene Fretwell.
DIGGING FOR DIGNITY LEGACY PROJECT PRESENTS
SWIMMING FROM SLAVERY
Honoring National Slavery Remembrance Day During America’s 250th Anniversary
The Courageous Escape from Slavery of Rev. Greene Fretwell. My Ancestors Song: https://youtu.be/zkRAR2UY2M0
Thursday, August 20, 2026 • 12:00 Noon
ONE PEOPLE. ONE PROMISE. ONE PARK. CBS: https://youtu.be/ilUnXZTwCww
America’s 250th Is More Than a Celebration. Original Slavery Remembrance Day Resolution: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-joint-resolution/113/text
It is a remembrance.
Not only of how a nation was born—
but of everyone whose faith, sacrifice, courage, and perseverance helped build it.
As America commemorates its 250th Anniversary, the Digging for Dignity Legacy Project invites the community to experience Swimming From Slavery, a sacred observance of prayer, history, remembrance, and restoration honoring the remarkable life of Rev. Greene Fretwell—a man born into slavery whose extraordinary determination carried him across the Ohio River and into freedom.
His journey did not end when he reached the opposite shore.
It continued through the Underground Railroad.
It led him to Texas.
It led him to ministry.
It led him to a family.
It led him to a community.
And it led him to a legacy that continues to inspire generations more than 140 years later.
Rev. Greene Fretwell became one of the earliest African American ministers and pioneers of northeast Tarrant County, faithfully proclaiming the Gospel while helping establish a community rooted in faith, hope, perseverance, and freedom.
Today he rests within the Historic Fretwell Cemetery at People’s Memorial Legacy Park, among more than 8,000 African American pioneers whose lives helped shape Tarrant County, North Texas, and the State of Texas.
Their names deserve to be remembered.
Their sacrifices deserve to be honored.
Their resting place deserves to be preserved.
Because history does not live only inside museums.
History lives in families.
History lives in churches.
History lives in cemeteries.
History lives in communities.
History lives in the promises we choose to keep.
FROM ONE MAN’S FREEDOM CAME A SACRED PROMISE CBS: https://youtu.be/jtTr5A1elmg
When Rev. Greene Fretwell died in 1886, African American families in northeast Tarrant County had no sacred burial ground of their own.
His widow, Mother Frances Fretwell, refused to let that remain the story.
Together with neighbors, church members, and faithful supporters, land was purchased to establish both a church and a cemetery where generations could worship, remember, and rest in dignity.
From a humble brush arbor…
grew a congregation.
From a congregation…
grew a cemetery.
From a cemetery…
grew a community.
Today those sacred grounds have become People’s Memorial Legacy Park—the final resting place of more than 8,000 pioneers, veterans, educators, ministers, entrepreneurs, mothers, fathers, children, and community builders whose lives helped write the history of North Texas.
The promise Mother Frances made more than a century ago has now become our promise.
A STOLEN HEADSTONE SHOULD NEVER BECOME A STOLEN LEGACY | WFAA: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/tarrant-county/forgotten-black-cemetery-restored-honoring-more-than-500-buffalo-soldiers-tarrant-county-texas/287-a51ba10a-e803-42ff-9f89-e9388d5802c9
This National Slavery Remembrance Day begins a new chapter.
Years ago, Rev. Greene Fretwell’s original headstone was vandalized and stolen.
His marker disappeared.
His memory never did.
For decades, his grave has quietly waited for restoration.
Now, during America’s 250th Anniversary, the Digging for Dignity Legacy Project launches a community-wide campaign to restore his memorial.
We invite churches…
Businesses…
Veterans…
Schools…
Historians…
Descendants…
Community organizations…
Families…
And friends…
to become partners in restoring one of North Texas’ most important African American historical sites.
Because this mission is about much more than replacing granite.
It is about restoring dignity.
Restoring history.
Restoring memory.
Restoring hope.
Restoring a promise.
Together we will ensure that Rev. Greene Fretwell’s story will never again stand without a stone worthy of the extraordinary life he lived.
Because every headstone marks a life.
Every life tells a story.
Every story deserves to be remembered.
And every generation deserves to know whose shoulders they stand upon.
EVERY STONE HAS A SONG
Joshua 4:20–24 | FOX 4: https://www.fox4news.com/news/historic-black-cemetery-haltom-city-restored-time-veterans-day
“And Joshua set up twelve stones… that this may be a sign among you… that all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty.”
When God brought Israel safely across the Jordan River, He commanded Joshua to build a memorial—not for the stones themselves, but for the story they would tell.
That same calling inspires the Digging for Dignity Legacy Project.
Every stone has a song.
Every grave has a testimony.
Every family has a legacy.
Every pioneer has a story.
When a headstone is vandalized…
history is wounded.
When a headstone is restored…
memory is renewed.
When forgotten people are remembered…
communities are strengthened.
That is why we believe—
Every Stone Has A Song…
Because Every Soul Is Made of Gold. KERA: https://www.keranews.org/news/2025-11-11/black-veterans-honored-at-newly-restored-historic-haltom-city-cemetery
On this National Slavery Remembrance Day, during America’s 250th Anniversary, we will remember.
We will honor.
We will pray.
We will restore.
We will preserve.
And together we will ensure that the story of Rev. Greene Fretwell—and the thousands resting beside him—continues to inspire generations yet unborn.
Presented By
Digging for Dignity Legacy Project
Preserving the Past. Honoring the Present. Inspiring the Future. | https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/juneteenth-weekend-haltom-city-cemetery-preservation-6-20-2026/
Sponsored By
A Circle of Churches Collective
Texas Buffalo Soldiers Association
Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas
New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church
Community Partners Committed to Preserving African American History
Support the Restoration of Rev. Greene Fretwell’s Memorial
817-966-7625
newmtrosembc@gmail.com
www.newmountrose.com
ONE PEOPLE. ONE PROMISE. ONE PARK.
Because Every Stone Has A Song…
Because Every Soul Is Made of Gold.
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