OBU Honors Veterans During Ceremony Nov. 11

November 11, 2016

OBU held a special ceremony Friday, Nov. 11, honoring veterans of the United States military in observance of Veterans Day. The event took place in Gold Star Park on the OBU campus in Shawnee. The park is located just west of Kickapoo and south of University.

OBU President Dr. David W. Whitlock opened the ceremony, thanking those who have fought and served our nation and sacrificed much for our freedoms. He also recalled connections between OBU and the U.S. military, including a period from 1943-44 when the campus was a military training site for the Army's 91st College Training Detachment (Aircrew). During that time, some 2,000 cadets spent time on campus. They lived in WMU dormitory, attended classes in Shawnee Hall, drilled on the Oval, and exercised on the athletic field.

A wreath was laid on the veterans' memorial in the park by veterans of four branches of the U.S. military, including Dr. Randy Ridenour, OBU associate professor of philosophy and chaplain in the Army Reserve; Walter Hughey, OBU network technician and master sergeant in the Air Force; Chris Jeter, ’01, JAG officer in the Navy; and Colonel Eugene McDaniel of the Marines.

An alumni men’s chorus sang a musical tribute to veterans and performed “Taps.”