Ft Gibson Celebrates Christmas

Saturday, December 18th 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Overcoming violence with the joys of Christmas. Santa Claus visited Ft. Gibson Friday evening to try to help restore the peace and serenity lost in a tragic school shooting earlier this month.

Santa Claus was on hand giving out hugs and smiles. The people of Ft. Gibson say it was nothing big, just a little something to pick up the kids after several days of news about the shooting at the Middle School.

Ft. Gibson Chamber of Commerce president, Leo Majors says "we'd like to get a little Christmas cheer in the community and not have what happened hanging over the community like it is we'd like things to get back to normal really." The Chamber of Commerce organized this holiday party to replace the annual Christmas parade. The parade was supposed to take place December 6th. But that's when the shooting happened and the parade was cancelled. Sherry Boudreaux, parade organizer says "we had 42 entries so it was going to be a big parade."

But these folks say the parade wasn't as important as the well being of Fort Gibson's people. Their Christmas wishes for the town include; Ray Clinkenbeard: "Course all of the kids that were injured they'll be home for Christmas and thank the Lord for that." Ruben Kisner: "That we all can get along and everything be peaceful." Santa: "Our community is really coming together a family. Santa loves this community and this community loves one another. Everyone can be forgiven and loved."