Volunteers Place More Than 2,000 American Flags At Okmulgee Cemetery

This Memorial Day weekend, many Oklahomans are honoring those who served and died for our freedoms.

At Broken Arrow's Military History Center, banners pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

At the Okmulgee Cemetery, it has taken months of preparation to make sure every veteran buried there is recognized.

Volunteers with the American Legion, Elks Lodge and the Boy Scouts dedicated hours of their time on Friday, placing American flags on the graves of every veteran.

"It's all here. The history's here," American Legion Post 10 member Steve Sigmon said.

Going into Memorial Day weekend, hundreds of veterans' grave sites at Okmulgee Cemetery are already marked with an American flag.

Volunteers like Steve Sigmon, who served in the Army, make it happen every year.

"It's the legacy that we need to hold very high and to honor them,” Sigmon said.

"We have a cemetery map and we highlighted the lots that the veterans are buried in," volunteer Larry Biddle said.

But they weren't always this organized. Okmulgee's American Legion Post 10 Commander Don Raby said they spent about two years doing research about veterans buried here.

“A lot of times we had to dig up their markers. They were covered up with dirt and buried. It took some time, and anyway, we got it on a computer list and now we're ready to go,” Raby said.

And each veteran's headstone they pass, is a reminder to reflect on the sacrifices made.

"It's a tradition that is gonna be carried on. It's nice to know that,” Sigmon said.

The plan is to remove the flags Tuesday, as long as the weather cooperates.