Airmen honor veterans at Altus cemetery

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nathanael Callon
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS, Okla. --  Airmen placed U.S. flags next to veterans' tombstones at the Altus City Cemetery May 24, 2014, in recognition of Memorial Day.

Memorial Day, held May 26 this year, is an annual U.S. federal holiday in remembrance of service members who died while serving in the Armed Forces. Airmen place flags next to the graves of deceased service members every year to pay their respects and honor those who served before them.

"It's a day of remembrance - all of the wars we've fought, all those who have died to preserve our freedom," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Justice Coker, a boom operator from the 54th Air Refueling Squadron. "It's important to pay tribute to those who came before us, to show them the respect and honor they deserve."

There is also a memorial dedicated to the 114 men from Jackson County who died in World War II. There are more than 370 veterans buried in the cemetery.

For U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Chris Lauderback, it's become a family tradition, placing flags with his 9-year old son. It's the second year that they've participated in the event, and Lauderback hopes it will instill the true meaning of the holiday. "I want to teach him to respect Memorial Day and know that it is more than hot dogs and a four-day weekend," Lauderback said of his son.

Airmen help the Altus Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter place flags each year.