Oakwood University honored our nation's veterans with a Wreath-Laying Ceremony on November 11, 2020, at the Oakwood University Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Pre-event activities included a parade of Mr. Oakwood – De’Andre Brown, Miss Oakwood – Tia Toombs; the Pride Marching Band directed by Ryan Washington and the Certified Step Team, also comprised of Oakwood students, directed by Bernice Moise, captain; and members of the Adventist Motorcycle Ministry.
The Color Guard from the Austin High School Junior ROTC posted the colors at the beginning of the program.
The master of ceremony was Col. Ronald Childress, Jr., of the United States Army. The invocation was offered by Lance Shand, Ret. Specialist 3rd Class, United States Army. President Leslie Pollard welcomed all who were in attendance and acknowledged Oakwood students who are veterans:
• Craig Brown – Air Force, Retired E5 Staff Sergeant
• Terence Brown – Air Force
• Shane Hickman – Army/Navy, GSM3
• Haydee Holiday-Parker – Navy, Fire Controlman, 1st Class
• Hasting Newbill – Army, Staff Sergeant
• Ulysses Petty – Air Force
• Natasha Thomas – Army, SP
• Kyle Thurman – Air Force Reserve
• Lujan Williams -Army, SFC
During the program, the University honored Ms. Joy Parker, President and Co-Founder of Wreaths for Veterans, a local chapter of Wreaths Across America. Provost Colwick Wilson, Sabrina Cotton, Vice President for Financial Administration, and President Pollard listened as Ms. Parker expresses her gratitude.
The Huntsville Fire and Rescue Pipes and Drums performed a rendition of Amazing Grace.
Trumpeter Rocque Haines played "Taps" during the Wreath-Laying Ceremony.
The keynote address was delivered by CAPT Washington Johnson II, CHC, USN, Deputy Chaplain, Navy Region Hawaii, and Assistant Director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries at the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists.
Descendants Mary McBee, one of Oakwood’s first 16 students in 1896, attended the program today.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Wednesday, November 11th 2020 at 7:14PM
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