VMC Event | Photo by Bethany Althauser | The Wright State Guardian
On Friday, Sept. 8, the Veteran and Military Center dedicated the “Champion Garden” outside Allyn Hall in a solemn ceremony celebrating the life and legacy of WSU alumnus and veteran Shawn L. English.
Event
Dozens of students, family and faculty alike gathered between Lot 10 and Allyn Hall. The summer sun had calmed with a gentle breeze, and dog tags twinkled while hanging from the wooden pergola alongside veteran English’s plaque. The American flag stood proudly behind. Beneath the red, white and blue stood a small table setting for one, never to be filled.
The Air Force and Army ROTC Cadet Honor Guard, the organization which English had the honor of mentoring, began with the Posting of the Colors quickly followed by the National Anthem.
The Missing Man Ceremony came next, talking about the “Fallen Soldier Table,” a small table setting with a white tablecloth with a red rose in a vase, dedication ribbon and more. This table honors fallen, missing or imprisoned military service members.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Major Brendan E. Sullivan spoke an invocation before University President Sue Edwards welcomed attendees and thanked active service members.
“Today, our memorialization of this Champion Garden is to celebrate each and every one of you. Every time our students spend here, I hope that they will reflect on the importance of your service, to us as a people and us as a nation,” Edwards said.
Tom Gunlock of the Board of Trustees reflected on WSU’s strong history of supporting veterans and continued community space for service members.
Director of the Veteran and Military Center Dr. Seth Gordon thanked the contributors that enabled the Champion Garden, including those who donated financially and physically. Gordon also evoked the phrase that both inspired the name of the garden and what the VMC lives by: “We are each other's champions.”
Lt. Col. Jacob D. Bashore told the story of proposing a memorial of this kind back in 2006 and its evolution to now. Bashore also spoke of English, of his service in operations, such as Desert Storm, and of his personal dedication to all he did, including the Raider Battalion.
Tricia English, widow of Captain English, spoke on how WSU was the setting of many milestones of her and English’s relationship, sharing anecdotes on the time and providing insights into English’s life of kindness and dedication despite his rough upbringing.
“[English] would have been honored. He would have been overwhelmed. He would have been grateful, and then would have walked away and said, ‘I was just doing my job,’” English said.
Finally, President of the Veteran and Military Alumni Society Anthony Heiland reiterated the importance of such a memorial and thanked the attendees for coming.
Champion Garden
Sparkling dog tags (identification tags) that hang from the wooden boards of the pergola are a mix of donations and representation stories gathered by student veterans through the Veterans’ Voices Project. Tags are organized alphabetically by last name.
The fixtures of the Champion Garden are atop a concrete slab, providing space to sit and reflect between Allyn Hall and Lot 10.
An engraved plaque in gold lettering lays just before the entrance of the pergola. The plaque details English’s life and service. A standing sign informs readers about the garden along with QR codes for supporting the garden and information about English’s legacy. It also informs readers about the identification tags that hang within.
“Always a Raider - Tried, Proven, and Ready!” a portion of the plaque reads. “In the spirit of the United State military, all are welcome here. This space has been designed to encourage community and collaboration while providing an environment of peace and tranquility.”
