When Hocking graduate Kelly Harnett reached out to Dean of Natural Resources, Larry Coon and faculty member Cheryl Mollohan about creating a memorial on campus, the idea for the SSG Curtis "Moose" Oakes Veterans' Memorial Garden was born.  Between that fall day and the September 24 garden dedication, many hours of hard work were contributed to memorialize this Hocking alumni and fallen hero.

Thank you to the following people who made this garden and dedication possible:

* Cheryl for working with Kelly to conceptualize the idea of the garden, raising funds, creating plaques and all other forms of support.

 

*Gina Fetty who assisted in facilitating the Hocking College Foundation's gifts and coordinated the accounting for the fund.

 

*Andy Freeman, along with his crew of students and staff, who spent many hours in all weather conditions designing, digging, hauling and planting the beautiful memorial garden.  It will be an ongoing tribute to all fallen soldiers for years to come.

 

*Chaz Neill, student worker who initiated the planning for the dedication event.

 

*Ron Mash and the grounds crew for making the campus especially beautiful for the dedication.

 

*Nate Perez, Giles Lee, Sally Lozada, Mike Belcher, Rob Queen and Tim Davis for their help with coordinating all the details related to the dedication event.

 

*Roger Buck for assistance with finalizing the dedication, and his terrific work as the emcee.

 

*Hocking Student Jason Scott Hook for adding his amazing voice to the dedication.

 

*Bev Matheny and Adeana Meadows for administrative support.

 

Thank you also to all of the faculty, staff, administration and campus community who contributed financially to make this a reality, and to those of you who attended the ceremony Saturday to pay tribute to this soldier who fought and gave his life for our country.