On Monday, November 10, Hocking College held a rededication ceremony for the Staff Sgt. Curtis A. Oakes Veterans Memorial Garden.  

The garden started as an oak tree planted in 2012 to honor Oakes, a Hocking alum who died in action on November 29, 2010. Hocking College Landscape Management students and Campus Greens staff have since been working to develop the garden to honor veterans. This year's ceremony was held to acknowledge the completion of the garden, which will now serve as a beacon on campus, representing the sacrifice of service members and their families.  

Chairmen of the Hocking College Board of Trustees Lt. Col. Andrew Stone spoke at the ceremony regarding the relationship between military and education in America, "Beyond their military service, veterans are great students, great employees and great community members. They can suffer hardship without complaint. They are high achievers. United Stated Military veterans built America."

Read more about the ceremony and see photos from the event.