Family Of Fallen Oklahoma Hero 'Blessed' By Stay At New Honor Cottage

A Green Country family felt a lot of love as they relaxed at a special place for loved ones of those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And they said the outpouring of love from the public has been overwhelming.

"When we walked in the door, the kids and I were just like, ‘oh my gosh, we're getting to stay in a beautiful place like this?'" Christina Norton said.

Norton and her two kids are the first family to get to stay at the Honor Cottage at CrossTimbers Marina on Skiatook Lake.

"It's amazing just getting to come out here and get a great view of the lake and get to have some good family time, it's really nice," son Dalton Norton said.

Most of the $350,000 furnished cottage came from donations and a deep commitment from Oklahomans to honor military members and their families, thanks to the Folds of Honor Foundation.

"…knowing someone cares just makes me feel special," daughter Becca Norton said.

They've gone boating and tubing this weekend, the things they used to do with their dad, U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Jason Norton.

In 2006, on his fourth deployment to Iraq, the veteran was killed by an improvised explosive device.

The cottage has been a peaceful break for the Nortons.

"We've got this feeling of just feeling so loved by the American people, we just feel very blessed," Christina Norton said.

One of her biggest worries is that the kids will forget their father because they were so young when he died.

She said this helps ease her mind.

"When you continuously have the outpouring and the love from the community helping to remind them of how loved they are and the ultimate sacrifice, it's just very heartwarming," Christina Norton said.

The Norton's are the first of as many as 100 families expected to stay here each year.