The Veterans Day Celebration, founded by Stewart A. Williams in 2017, is the biggest thing to happen in the town of Langston. It is a day to recognize and celebrate the veterans from all the branches of the military, including the newly founded Space Force.
On October 1st, 2022, the WM Conrad Veterans Memorial Gardens had its grand opening to the city of Langston. Ever since then, veterans from around the country have come to recognize and appreciate the garden while also paying their respects to the different branches of the military. Even members from Langston University programs like the LU Concert Choir Ensemble showed up to support. With the addition of the garden, on the outside of the fence are tags which represent the different people who served in the military throughout the years. According to both Mr. and Mrs. Williams, this is their unique way of representing the different men and women who served in the military.
Stewart A. Williams grew up in the town of Langston and knew many veterans that were living in the community at the time. “One of the things I’ve noticed was that we were losing so many veterans, and we had so many to come and go that people didn’t know who these veterans were,” says Mr. Williams. “So, this is just our way of trying to recognize those people who are gone and show them that they are not forgotten.” While Mr. Williams has had successes reaching military personnel and people in the town of Langston, he has had some trouble reaching young people who are also a part of their target audience. “You know, I keep on talking and speaking to the young people because this is really what it’s all about, I would love to see more young people go to the services and go to school.”
The goal for this year’s Veterans Day Celebration is to have different speakers come and speak to different veterans and people celebrating at the garden. They also plan on having an event where different people can come play bingo with veterans, while getting to know different perspectives and experiences of being in the military and the benefits that comes with it. Mr. and Mrs. Williams think this is a great opportunity to expand their garden and the influence across the city of Langston and possibly outside of Langston as well.
Gabe Lane
Staff Writer
Gabe Lane is a sophomore broadcast journalism major
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