Hocking College will hold a commemorative ceremony for the re-dedication of the Staff Sgt. Curtis A. "Moose" Oakes Veterans Memorial Garden on November 10, 2014 at 1 p.m.

The Veterans Memorial Garden was established to honor and memorialize Staff Sgt. Curtis A. Oakes, also known as "Moose," who died while serving his country in Afghanistan in 2010. Staff Sgt. Oakes was a graduate of the School of Natural Resources at Hocking College. Initially, a single oak tree was planted on September 24, 2011 to honor the memory of Staff Sgt. Oakes and serve as an "anchor" to the garden. The tree sits in the center of the garden in front of Light Hall.  

"Since the planting, Valarie Oakes (Curtis' mother) dreamed of honoring others who have fought for our freedom. Today we celebrate the realization of her dream," Libby Villavicencio, Executive Director of the Hocking College Foundation, said regarding the unveiling of the Memorial Garden.

Honored guests will be in attendance at the ceremony, including Dr. Roger P. Buck, U.S. Navy, Retired, Director of Hocking College Counseling Services and liaison for the Hocking College Chapter of Student Veterans of America; Chaplain (Captain) Dawn Israel with the 371st Sustainment Battalion of the Ohio National Guard; Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Stone, Chairman of the Hocking College Board of Trustees; and Kathleen Young, Southwest Regional Liaison for Ohio Governor John Kasich.

The garden was designed and constructed by the Landscape Management program and Hocking College Campus Greens staff. The public is invited to attend the ceremony the Monday before Veterans Day to support and honor our troops who have served their country.