The Town of Langston City invites Veterans, their families and the general public to be our guests and to participate in the upcoming activities of the Veterans Appreciation Weekend, November 8 – 11, 2019. This is the fifth year of the Langston City-wide Celebration and the third year that the US Department of Veterans Affairs has designated the Town of Langston City as a Regional Site for the Observance of Veterans Day. This highly competitive, singular honor is shared by only two other sites in the State of Oklahoma.
Six years ago, Pastor Everett E. Mack, Sr. and the Congregation of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church hosted the first recently held Veterans Appreciation Worship Service and Sunday Dinner for Veterans and their families. This was the impetus for the city-wide celebration of local veterans. While New Hope continues to host the Worship Service and the members of Beta Phi Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc, host the Sunday Dinner, the City and several other local organizations are now involved in this four-day weekend demonstration of gratitude for the services rendered by our Veterans,
The development of the Wm Conrad Veterans Memorial Gardens has been on a parallel time track with the City’s expanding Veterans appreciation activities. Founders Maeoma and Stewart Williams have instituted a sense of pride by creating this beautifully relevant tribute to Veterans in the Town of Langston City. Most of activities during this Appreciation Weekend serve as support mechanisms for the continued development of the Memorial Gardens. The Committee for the Wm Conrad Veterans Memorial Gardens cordially invites Veterans and others to join us on Monday, November 11,2019, from 11:00a.m. – 2:00p.m., as we honor our Military men and women on Veterans Day – – “Honoring All Who Served.”
The Committee proudly announces this year’s honored guest speaker, former Oklahoma State Senator, Connie Johnson. Other honored guests include the Tinker Air Force Base Honor Guard, Midwest City, OK; and the 145th Army Bugler, Oklahoma City, OK. The U.S Coast Guard Flag will be raised to full staff by Coast Guard Veterans, joining the beautifully displayed United States, Oklahoma State, and POW flags and the flags of the other four branches of the US Military at the main entrance of the Gardens
The full schedule for the Langston Veterans Appreciation Weekend includes:
Friday, November 8, 2019 – 9:00 AM Cemetery Flag Salutes Beulah Land in Langston and Union Hill in Meridian; 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Coffee Hour and Veterans’ Rights Workshop at the Baptist Collegiate Ministries – 318 W. Sammy Davis, Jr. Dr.; Preventive Health Screening sponsored by the Langston City Lions Club at Langston City Hall – 222 N. Tolson St.; 12:30 PM Lunch with Veterans and Students; Judging of the Art and Essay Contests at the Baptist Collegiate Ministries.
Health Screening is a newly added activity for the Appreciation Weekend. The Oklahoma Lions Mobile Unit is equipped to screen for some of the most critical health concerns of Oklahomans: glaucoma, diabetes, visual acuity, high blood pressure, cholesterol, basic pulmonary (lung) functioning and bone density problems. These free services could cost as much as $200. Glaucoma and diabetes are two of the leading causes of blindness. Untreated, either disease can cause blindness. The vision tests are especially important for quality of life. High blood pressure and cholesterol levels, if left undetected and untreated, can cause many heart-related problems. Both often do not cause any symptoms. We care for our Veterans good health!
Saturday, November 9, 2019 – 12:00 PM (Noon) – 2:00 PM Wesley Foundation Center 701 Sammy Davis, Jr. Dr. “Fred Gragg Luncheon with Our Veterans” Theme – Honoring Brave Men and Women – Past, Present, Future. Family Members, Friends, Elected Officials, Civic and Church Leaders are invited to come out and engage in meaningful conversation with our Veterans. Three top administrators from the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs have already confirmed their attendance. Special Presentation by Langston’s own U.S. Air Force Retired Veteran Hugh Allen; Speaker – Gerald L. Mack, FBI Special Agent in Charge (Retired) and U.S. Army Veteran; Announcement of Art and Essay Contests winners. Free for ALL Veterans! Donations from all others will be given to the Wm Conrad Veterans Memorial Garden.
Sunday, November 10, 2019 – 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM New Hope Missionary Baptist Church’s — 222 NE Hale Street Langston, OK – The 6th Annual Veterans Appreciation Worship Service will feature U S Veteran, Rev. Douglas C. Robinson, Dean and Chaplain of The King Is Coming Theological Christian Center in Oklahoma City with special music and performances by the New Hope Youth Department; Sunday Dinner for Veterans and their Families will be served following the Worship Service, hosted by the Beta Phi Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; Traditional Cake Cutting & Group Photograph of Our Veterans.
Monday, November 11, 2019 – 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – “A Very Patriotic Veterans Day Program” hosted by and at the Wm Conrad Veterans Memorial Gardens — 313 Turner Street Langston, OK; Speaker – Former State of Oklahoma Senator Connie Johnson; Tinker Air Force Honor Guard; 145th Army Bugler; and additional music will be provided by Mrs. Rochelle Allison and the Langston University Ensemble. This event will be another excellent opportunity to fellowship with and give thanks to veterans, as well as learn more about the Wm Conrad Veterans Memorial Gardens. In case of inclement weather, the program will be held at the Baptist Collegiate Ministries. The BCM is located at 318 W. Sammy Davis Jr. Dr. Langston.
The public is asked to please share this information with local Veterans. Bring them out to the events and to tour the Veterans Memorial Gardens. Provide us with Veterans’ names and photographs in uniform to add to the photographic poster display and the patriotic multimedia display of our brave men and women. Consider donating to the Wm Conrad Veterans Memorial Gardens and/or purchasing a Military ID Tag in honor of your family members or friends who served or are still serving our Nation.
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