Tuesday celebrations began on Saturday when over 1500 American flags were placed throughout three area cemeteries.

"We put out flags on every veterans grave," said Ken Pike, post no. 4876. commander.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxiliary post no. 4876, in Altus comb through the Altus City, Restlawn and Victory cemeteries each year decorating veterans graves with flags.

"Approximately 70 people from Altus Air Force Base helped put out flags on Saturday," said Joye Black, president of the VFW's ladies auxiliary post no. 4876. "They will help us in any way they can."

Pike said a lot of graves are not marked, and he made sure to remind the people who placed flags to also look for tombstones with a circle and CSA in it for Confederate States of America.

"They are veterans, even though they fought American-American. They served in the military," Pike said. "As long as you served one day in the United States military honorably and left, you're a veteran."

Pike said there is one thing that bothers him about Veterans Day, however, and it's recognition or the lack thereof.

"The only people that recognize it are those in the military. Look at your downtown's, everybody's open for business except for banks; schools are in session," Pike said. "It is a legal holiday, but it's not a recognized holiday."

Bob Gomeringer, post surgeon at the Clinton Veterans Center, said people need to praise all military members, both retired and active duty, especially those currently in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We need our politicians more aware of our Veterans, and our military," Gomeringer said. "It seems the only time we acknowledge them is when we're at war. Then they drop the ball."

Gomeringer said the members of the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary post no. 4876 send off and greet the base heroes who leave and return from war.

Yet, their caring does not end there. They have implemented programs and activities year round that not only benefit Veterans, but the community.

"We support the homeless veterans, we have safety programs and Americanism programs," Gomeringer said. "We support 'Homeless Stand down' in Oklahoma City, which provides medical, dental, examinations and clothes for Veterans."

Members of post no. 4876 also have a Memorial Day program for area fifth graders.

In addition, they take homemade valentines to area veterans, and in conjunction with the base, they support them in sending out birthday cards.

"We have soldiers all over this land, and they must not be forgotten," Pike said.

Veterans Day activities in Altus began with the sirens being blown at 11 a.m. Tuesday, and a ceremony at the Altus War Memorial. Following the service, Col. Mark Solo, commander of the 95th Air Mobility Wing, was the keynote speaker at a luncheon held for the community at the VFW post no. 4876.

"It's a very special day for us, because we get to honor the people who gave us freedom and opportunity," Black said.