'This Is Such An Honor': OKC Police Organize Flag Raising Ceremony For Local Marine Veteran

A local Marine veteran received the surprise of a lifetime on Friday, one day before Veterans Day and on the Marine Corps 248th birthday. A special flag raising ceremony was held in the man's front yard in southwest Oklahoma City.

A routine alarm call promoted two Oklahoma City police officers to honor the Marine Veteran. Nilo Florence, 87, said of all the Marine birthdays this one will be the most memorable.

The American and Marine Corp flags fly high in Florence's front yard. 

“I love my county,” said Nilo Florence, Marine veteran. “I love the Marine Corp.”

Every year Florence celebrates the Corps' birthday.

“I’m 87 and started this Marine Corp business when I was 17 and I’ve been to 70 of these Marine Corp birthdays,” said Florence.

This year they celebrated with him and included a cake. Joining in the front yard celebration was Florence's family and members of the Oklahoma City police and fire departments. 

“I never realized it was going to end up something like this,” said Florence. “This is such an honor.”

Florence told the story of how it all came together, saying it was a "God thing."

“I looked out through the curtains, and it was the fireman and I thought 'what in the world, my house on fire?,'” said Florence.

His 94-year-old neighbor fell, and the fire department needed help getting into her home. The veteran Marine sprang into action but forgot to turn off his home security alarm. A short time later police showed up.

“After we realized it was a false alarm,” said Sergeant Brad Gilmore, Oklahoma City Police Department. “We just started talking to the gentleman found out he was a veteran, as is my partner.”

They noticed Florence's flags were torn and tattered.

“I kind of got the ball rolling,” said Sergeant David Foley, Oklahoma City Police Department. “We called the Marines, called every veteran we know, called the Honor Guard.”

The result was Florence’s dream come true. He watched the flag raising ceremony with a heart full of gratitude and beaming with pride.

“I will never forget this,” said Florence. 

A lasting memory for everyone involved.

“It really makes this job we do every day fulfilling when we’re able to do something like this for somebody who did so much for the country,” said Gilmore.

Sergeant Gilmore and Foley plan to honor another veteran in a similar fashion next year.