The Town of Langston will honor military veterans and current service members with activities Nov. 8 and Nov. 11, including a recognition worship service, an appreciation dinner and a Veterans Day program at Wm Conrad Veterans Memorial Gardens.
The observances will carry the theme “Honoring ALL Who Served” and recognize America’s 250th year. Veterans, their families and the public are invited to attend.
The activities begin Sunday, Nov. 8, with New Hope Missionary Baptist Church’s annual Veterans Recognition Worship Service at 11 a.m. Pastor Dr. Everett Mack Sr. and the congregation will host the service, with veteran Elder Curtis Lamar Kemp delivering the morning message.
Following the service, the Beta Phi Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority will sponsor an appreciation dinner for veterans throughout Logan County from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Both the worship service and dinner are open to the public.
On Wednesday, Nov. 11, the annual Veterans Day observance will take place at Wm Conrad Veterans Memorial Gardens, 313 E. Turner St. in Langston.
A pastries and coffee reception will begin at 10 a.m., allowing guests to tour the gardens and visit with veterans before the official program starts at 11 a.m.
Retired Lt. Col. Susan K. Parisi, a registered nurse whose U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps service spanned 35 years, will deliver the keynote address.
Jamica C. Johnson, a U.S. Navy mass communications specialist, will serve as mistress of ceremonies. The program will also feature the Langston University Concert Ensembles under the direction of veteran Dr. Chukweusbuha Eakacha.
Dr. Lula King will present a tribute to veterans and honor Vietnam War veteran Robert Gray, a recipient of two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars.
The program will also recognize a color guard from Tinker Air Force Base, National Guard bugler Vickie Friedemann and veteran Shelby Renard Johnson.
Lunch will be served at the gardens following the program. The observance will also stream live on the Wm Conrad Veterans Memorial Gardens Facebook page.
Army veteran and Langston native Stewart A. Williams founded and developed the gardens. He and his wife, Maeoma Williams, along with the gardens’ trustees, encourage veterans, civic organizations, faith communities and residents to participate.
The founders also invite supporters to help sustain the memorial through pledges or the purchase of a military identification tag. Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 27, Langston, OK 73050, or made through Cash App at $wmveteransmg.
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