President Jackson reflects on African American military service, signs new MOU with Wm Conrad Veterans Memorial Gardens at Veterans Day Program
Langston University President Ruth Ray Jackson comes from a military family, and she knows first-hand that military service is “a Family Affair.”
As the keynote speaker at the Wm Conrad Veterans Memorial Gardens’ annual Veterans Day Program on Monday, Dr. Jackson spoke about her own experience as the daughter and wife of veterans, an experience which tied into this year’s chosen theme: “A Legacy of Loyalty and Service – It’s a Family Affair.”
“This year’s theme speaks to the special role of military families,” Dr. Jackson said. “It is not just the soldier, sailor, airman or marine who serves—it is also the parents, siblings, spouses and children who endure separation, uncertainty and sometimes heartbreaking loss. These families teach us what resilience looks like.”
After thanking veterans and their families for their service, Dr. Jackson reflected on the role of African American veterans in the United States. Many African American service members, like the Buffalo Soldiers and Tuskegee Airmen, served their country valiantly despite the discrimination they faced. Many Langston University students, faculty, staff and alumni have been among them.
“Their contributions remind us that the American story is incomplete without acknowledging the courage and sacrifices of African Americans in uniform,” Dr. Jackson said.
After her keynote address, Dr. Jackson and Gardens Founder Stewart Williams signed a two-year renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Langston University and Wm Conrad Veterans Memorial Gardens.
The original MOU, signed on Veterans Day 2023, solidified a formal partnership between the institutions to develop services and programs for veterans while opening the door for LU students to participate in volunteer projects and internship opportunities. The new MOU signing extended the collaborative effort to honor and support veterans through 2026.
In addition to the MOU signing, the Veterans Day program included performances from the LU Concert Choir, presentations from community members about their families’ military service, and recognition for Purple Heart recipients Rev. Dr. Douglas C. Robinson from Oklahoma City and Mr. Earnest H. Moore from Langston.
