'Gets You Right In Your Heart': Dozens Attend Funeral For Late Airman In Fort Gibson

On a misty Friday morning, dozens of people gathered at the Ft Gibson National Cemetery to lay a fallen airman to rest.

"We weren't going to see him off by himself. We're going to show up and show our support for our brother," said Mark Hale of Bristow. 

Fallen airman Darrin Thurman served in the United States Air Force for 14 years. He was buried with full military honors. 

"As we lay him to rest, let us remember the joy he brought to our lives, and honor his memory by living our own lives with that same sense of dedication, service, and love," a speaker at the funeral said. 

Darrin Thurman does have family out of state, but for whatever reason couldn't make it, so others took their place.

"I got no words for it. It kind of gets you right in your heart," Hale said. 

Several people at the service say they didn't anticipate seeing this many people.

"Not many, I expected maybe ten people," Charles Graham of Wagoner said. 

But they all showed up for a man none of them even knew.

"It makes me proud to be an American to see this many people come out and pay a tribute to a veteran that has paid some, and some paid all," Graham said. Denise Crakaal of Summerfield also attended the funeral, "I just sat in my car and cried watching all the people pull in today.

A community that rallied together, for a purpose greater than themselves.

"I was glad to see the positive side of America today," Graham said.

Even though these people never met Thurman, this was their way of thanking him for his service.

"Rest in Peace Darrin Lee Thurman, your service will not be forgotten, and your memory will forever be cherished in our hearts," a speaker at the funeral said.