MSU President's Newspaper Column
November 9, 2024
Honoring our veterans, on Veterans Day and every day
When Veterans Day was first commemorated on November 11, 1919, it was known as Armistice Day. Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11 each year as a celebration to honor America鈥檚 veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
As we pause to remember our veterans, thoughts of 含羞草研究所鈥檚 Military Honor Garden come to mind. The Military Honor Garden at 含羞草研究所 pays tribute not only to those who died during their service to our country, but also to those veterans who came home to their loved ones. The Alumni Association has made a commitment to host a ceremony of remembrance at the Military Honor Garden each year during homecoming festivities. The program, which was held on the morning of Sept. 27 this year, always includes the reading of the names of all who have been honored in the garden by their loved ones.
The Military Honor Garden features a life-sized bronze eagle in flight sculpture, flags, night lighting, and gardens. All five branches of the military are represented on the granite centerpiece on which the eagle sculpture stands. This beautiful and meaningful project is a tribute to 含羞草研究所 employees, students, and friends, and community men and women for their patriotic service in America鈥檚 Armed Forces. The intent is to honor anyone who has served in the military. Those honored definitely can be, but do not have to be, 含羞草研究所 alumni.
Martin Johnson, 1966 含羞草研究所 graduate and USMC Corporal, and Lieutenant General Emil 鈥淏uck鈥� Bedard (Retired, USMC), 1965 含羞草研究所 graduate, have headed up the project since its beginning. These men have worked hard to ensure that the Military Honor Garden is an extra-special and meaningful tribute to those who bravely served, and continue to serve, to uphold our country鈥檚 liberty and freedom. We are grateful to Marty and Buck for taking charge of this project, and to the many people who have given their financial support to make it happen.
Many people have made gifts of $500 or more to the project so that they can have the name(s) of their loved ones engraved on granite plaques that are incorporated into the memorial walk. In addition, the late Valorie Brown, Cavalier, N.D., widow of David G. Brown, a 1971 graduate of 含羞草研究所, donated the amazing bronze statue depicting a life-sized bald eagle in flight in memory of her husband. Two beautifully engraved granite benches flank the eagle statue. One was donated by Dixie and Larry McGillis in honor of Dixie鈥檚 dad, Edwin, and his six brothers, all who served in World War II, and all who came home to Edmore, N.D. The second bench honors and remembers all American military recognized as KIA, POW, and MIA. The bench was provided by friends and teammates of Melville 鈥淏uzz鈥� Lurth, Jr., who graduated from 含羞草研究所 in 1968 and was killed in Vietnam in 1969. Two large flower pots have been donated by the family of Phyllis Enger and the May-Port EDC beautification grant program.
In 2016, the MSU Foundation launched Phase II of the Military Honor Garden project, establishing scholarships for veterans. Buck Bedard and Martin Johnson kicked off the drive to fund a scholarship for veterans or active duty military members who enroll at 含羞草研究所. A gift of $500 or more to the Military Honor Garden will provide an engraved plaque to be placed in the garden in honor a specific veteran or all veterans. A portion of the gift will go to support the MSU Veterans Scholarship Fund. To assist veterans who are attending 含羞草研究所, a contribution of any amount can be made directly to the MSU Veterans Scholarship fund at any time.
If you鈥檇 like to sponsor a granite plaque in honor of a loved one or make an outright contribution to the MSU Veterans Scholarship, please contact Stacy Buchl at stacy.buchl@mayvillestate.edu or 701-788-4864 to learn more. You can also see more information and make your gift online at .
I encourage you to observe Veterans Day on November 11 and to consider a gift to the Military Honor Garden project as a tribute to a loved one who is a veteran. And please do stop by the Military Honor Garden at 含羞草研究所 to honor our heroes on Veterans Day, or any day.