Fallen U.S. Soldiers Of Muslim Faith Honored At Fort Logan National Cemetery

FORT LOGAN, Colo. (CBS4)- Coloradans honored fallen U.S. soldiers of the Muslim faith at Fort Logan National Cemetery on Sunday.

The move comes after Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump squared off with the father of a Muslim soldier who died in combat while fighting in Iraq.

"One thing we can enjoy is our freedom and our freedom is because of this," said Johnie Nielson.

Among the headstones at Fort Logan National Cemetery are some that belong to Nielson's family, "They served with great vigor and pride."

Johnie and her husband went to the cemetery on Sunday to thank other soldiers, men and women they don't know.

"We looked particularly for a symbol that was different from what was not our own ethnicity," said Johnie.

Their visit is a response to a calling from Mike Sexton, a Colorado man urging others to thank those who fought and died from our country, no matter their race, religion or heritage.

"Just honor one grave of someone who is different than you as a fellow American," said Sexton.

Sexton came up with the idea after seeing the father of a decorated Muslim Army captain, killed in the line of duty, speaking at the Democratic National Convention. That speech sparked a war of words with Trump.

"This is about us as Americans. This isn't about Hillary's better than Trump. This is about who we are as Americans," said Sexton.

"None of that stuff really means anything. It's the people that are here that are important. None of that matters at this point," said Johnie's husband.

Placing flowers and saying prayers among the headstones is just a small gesture for the couple who believe the fallen heroes deserve much more.

"They fought for what we believe in and we all need to take that time to recognize them and them them in our own way," said Johnie's husband.