Lawton/Fort Sill Graduations

Oklahoma Life TV’s Fort sill Graduation Feature Story

Fort Sill Graduations

During the global pandemic of 2020, Fort Sill did not host public graduation ceremonies. Families and friends could not celebrate with their loved ones. Lawton’s Polo Field, sitting alongside the i44 route coming into Lawton, sat empty and lonely for the entire graduation season of 2020.

Businesses in Lawton also suffered from Fort Sill’s inability to host public graduations. Loss if income crushed hotels, cafe’s, mom-and-pop shops in Lawton’s community.

Pvt. Zyair Smith, D Battery 1st Battalion, 19th Field Artillery, receives her family’s affections following her basic combat training graduation May 21, 2021, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Arriving from New Orleans, the Smith family was one of many families from across the nation who were welcomed to Fort Sill for basic combat training graduation since the global pandemic began in spring 2020. *(Photo Credit: James Brabenec)*

When Lawton began lifting restrictions, certain families were still unable to attend graduations – some only allowed a certain amount of people to attend. Then, things started to seem normal again. Lawton/Fort Sill’s graduations had a hint of normalcy again.

At the time of the graduation in the story, Lawton had just begun lifting mandates. Optimism was at an all-time high for families and businesses. Maria Brennen, the mother mentioned in the story, mentioned that she was heartbroken for those who couldn’t celebrate with their loved ones the way she was able to that day. But, she was all-the-more grateful that the opportunity was there.

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