Friday is "Juneteenth", which commemorates the abolition of slavery, and people are remembering a brutal act of racism that occurred 231 years ago in Rockingham County.

During a ceremony Thursday night, documents were read about a black slave named "Will", who was charged with murder and then was shot and decapitated.

Orders were given to burn his body and place his head on a post as a reminder to other slaves of what could happen if they rebelled.

Event organizers hope Will's story can bring healing to the community.

During the ceremony, Will was honored with balloons being released into the sky, symbolizing unity, healing and reconciliation for the nation's turbulent past.

The vigil was organized by a group called "Sincere Citizens Against Racism" and they have several other community events planned for the coming weeks.

That organization was put together by Douglas Mason, a man who worked with local lawmakers to get a law passed making it a felony to hang a noose in Virginia.

Mason was one of the organizers for the event.