Oklahomans Show Appreciation For Veterans At Fort Gibson National Cemetery

Fort Gibson National Cemetery is the final resting place for thousands of Oklahoma heroes. Monday, families, friends and strangers honored those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Hundreds of people, with different backgrounds, from different walks of life, are together at Fort Gibson's National Cemetery for the same reason.

“Just paying my regards to all veterans who gave their lives for us living here and you doing what you're doing,” said U.S. Army veteran, Richard Oder.

Oder said no one he knew personally is buried there, but that doesn't matter to him.

“It's touching to know that there could be guys out here that I served with,” he said.

There are more than 22,000 gravesites, and a flag is placed at every one of them. More than 100 Thunderbird Academy students came out Thursday put the flags.

Then, families bring their own personal touches to pay tribute – a penny from Heaven, dried rose petals or a patriotic wreath.

“I'm putting flowers on them,” said 8-year-old Khloe White.

Small symbols to show their appreciation for such a great sacrifice.

Kaitlyn Sorenson said, “Without them, I feel like we would not be where we are today.”

It takes students from the Thunderbird Academy a few hours to put the 22,000 flags, but cemetery employees said it will take about a week to take them all down.