— FORT GIBSON — In a scene that Fort Gibson American Legion Post Commander Tim Smith called “stunning,” hundreds braved the heat to attend Memorial Day services at Fort Gibson National Cemetery.

Smith spoke to the crowd, many of whose members stood outside the shaded structure when seats quickly filled up.

“This is a day and a time for us to reflect back on many service men and women who gave their lives,” Smith said. “We must make time to remember our fallen and tell others their stories.”

Smith said he thought the crowd was about twice as large as it had been the year before.

“It means so much to see all these people out here,” Smith said. “These people took time away from their picnics and watermelon and fun to come out here and pay their respects. It’s amazing to see, it really is.”

Eunice McBrayer flew in from Florida to visit her daughter, Leisa Toops of Verdigris, and to see the grave of her husband, Joseph Franklin McBrayer, a Korean War veteran who died in 2009.

“We were married 52 years,” McBrayer said. “I came to visit family, and this was the perfect timing.”

Toops said she was amazed by the number of people at the cemetery.

“It’s overwhelming out here,” Toops said. “It really is just so amazing to see all the see people out here.. It’s overwhelming.”

Each of the thousands of tombstones at the cemetery was decorated with a miniature American flag, courtesy of the Fort Gibson American Legion.

“These flags are just such a nice touch,” McBrayer said. “It really brings the whole cemetery together. The entire place looks so amazing, almost too amazing for words.”

Smith said he wanted to make sure those in attendance understood the significance of the holiday.

“As a veteran, Veterans Day is a significant day, but Memorial Day is the one,” Smith said. “As a patriotic holiday, this is it. This is to remember those who died. Veterans Day is for everyone, but this is for those who died.

“I told people today, you look out there and you see those pieces of rock on top of an old body, remember, there lots of stories out there, too.”

Reach Dylan Goforth at (918) 684-2903 or dgoforth@muskogeephoenix.com.