Veterans honored during ceremonies

Veterans across the country were honored in November for their service in protecting the freedoms Americans hold so dear.

At the United Keetoowah Band, Norman "Hominy" Littledave, tribal community coordinator, and Jacob Littledave, tribal veteran representative, hosted the annual Veterans appreciation luncheon Nov. 10 at the Jim Proctor Elder Center.

The Keetoowahs served turkey and dressing with mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, rolls, pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce to more than 175 people (including 85 veterans).

Chief George Wickliffe spoke to the crowd about his service in the National Guard's 45th Division and then his two years of active duty in the Army.

He said today's military faces a different type of war than what previous generations did.

"Today there are no front lines. Now, they just throw bombs at you."

Chief Wickliffe told the veterans they had done a good job and he and the tribe appreciated their service.

After lunch, all of the Keetoowah veterans were given gift bags loaded with water and sweets.

The following day the UKB Honor Guard traveled to the Fort Gibson National Cemetery to take place in its Veterans Day ceremony.

As they arrived in Fort Gibson, they noticed an astonishing sight. American Legion Post #20 had placed 442 American flags along Highway 62 and the road to the national cemetery.

Tim Smith, Post #20 commander, said the post voted in May to turn the road leading to the national cemetery into a "Trail of Honor." They looked for people to sponsor flags for $30 each.

The post put in several hundred man/hours during the last four months to set 560 concrete bases for the flag poles.

Smith said they need about $2,500 to finish the project.

At the national cemetery, the UKB Honor Guard linked up with the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma's Color Guard and American Legion Post #15's rifle squad. The honor and color guard marched together to post the colors and then the rifle squad fired a three-round volley.

A smattering of politicians and officials attended the ceremony to make their remarks, but it was the gathering of veterans from all five armed forces who were the true honorees.