STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 47
wanted to say something, because veterans ain’ t going to say much about themselves, we wanted to say something with this garden to our community. We wanted to show our community what a veteran is and the courtesy and respect that we should extend to our veterans.”
The Gardens were mostly being self-funded by Williams and wife MaeOma when Stillwater veteran Jim Horn helped them take it to another level. The Gardens have since built partnerships with the City of Langston and Langston University, and recently helped Langton be recognized as a Purple Heart City. Next, the Gardens will host a Veterans Day ceremony 11 a. m. Nov. 11.
Alberta Mayberry who volunteers with the Memorial Gardens and helps spread the word about programs, provided some insight on the site’ s progress.
SOM: The Wm Conrad Veterans Memorial Garden has come a long way in a few years, what do you attribute most to its success? AM: The Founders / Developers and Trustees of the Wm Conrad Veterans Memorial Gardens, one of three Regionally Designated Veterans Day Program Sites in the state of Oklahoma, have diligently continued to enhance the physical, patriotic and philosophical presence of this most meaningful veteran’ s appreciation project.
We made our application to the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs in May for the 2025 Veterans Day Designation with the modified national theme from“ Service to our Nation " to“ Service to Our Nation: An Artistic Perspective.” I am so pleased to inform you that we have received that designation for the ninth consecutive year!
The WCVMG has received support from local residents, residents of neighboring community Guthrie ' s American Legions, Guthrie ' s and several other Oklahoma City regionally located VFWs, DVA in Lawton, the Oklahoma Veterans United, The Oklahoma Red Cross, the Dale Graham Veterans Foundation, the Coyle and Guthrie Public School Districts, Guthrie Job Corps, the OSU Air Space and other training programs, the LU Wesley Foundation Center, the Baptist Collegiate Center, and more than a dozen churches. In May 2024, the WCVMG hosted a remarkably successful / well-attended community outreach
session sponsored the OKC VA Healthcare System.
We have received consistent and continuing support from the inception of the Gardens from The Town of Langston City, Langston University, the OK Veterans Commissioners and the Midwest City based US Air Force.
— Our Founder, Mr. Stewart A. Williams was named the winner of the Andrus Award for Community Service, the highest award presented by the Oklahoma AARP, on Dec. 4, 2024. His, and his wife’ s passion, and commitment to this effort, physically and financially, were the greatest reasons for this award and has been the impetus for others to give and support the Gardens.
— At our May 26, 2025, Memorial Day Program, we were informed that Williams had been selected as a member of the Oklahoma Military Hall of Honor. The recognition of a veteran ' s unselfish service to his
Two Air Force veterans greet each other during the community picnic that followed the Memorial Day Remembrance Program.( Photo provided by Langston University)
1911 N Boomer Rd |( 405) 338-9149 2113 W 6th Ave |( 405) 338-9475 NEWEST LOCATION! 423 S Main St
( Food Truck w / Drive Thru, behind Walgreens)
STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 47