Pain and Shock Still Fresh in the Minds of Chattanoogans

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF-TV)- It was exactly one month ago today that four Marines died at the hands of a domestic terrorist.
A navy petty officer, as you know, died later.
Chattanoogans have organized a memorial service at McKinzie Arena on Saturday to be attended by the vice president and other national figures.
But the pain and shock remain, as people stop to pay their respects at the Lee Highway site.

The names of the four Marines ….and the navy petty officer killed in tht brutal attack will never be forgotten in Chattanooga.
The families of Thomas Sullivan, Squire "Skip" Wells, David Wyatt, Carson Holmquist and Randall Smith will soon be added to the permanent memorial set up at the former recruiting center on Lee Highway. The site is not completed. It will be dedicated Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock.
But the original memorial site still attracts dozens of people every day.

CAROLYN CLIFTON, FROM DES MOINES, IOWA "Its just amazing to see, you know the community pull together like this…and show such gratitude and appreciation… for these families that have made the ultimate sacrifice..in losing somebody..It tears at your heart."

CYNTHIA GREEN, CHATTANOOGA, SERVED IN U.S. NAVY "Chattanooga Strong…they came together…breaks my heart but came together."

Vice President Joe Biden will be in Chattanooga to attend a memorial service at McKenzie Arena on Saturday. He’ll be joined by Tennessee’s two U.S. senators, Governor Bill Haslam, US secretary of defense Ash Carter, and secretary of the navy Ray Mabus.
There are many fund-raising events going on to help the families of the 5 servicemen, but a powerful Tennessee lawmaker from Chattanooga wants to offer assistance in a different way.

REP. GERALD MCCORMICK, HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER "We’re hoping to set up a fund paid for by the state or else just set up a program where the universities will agree to not charge tuition and fees to the children of those service people who gave their lives."

Representative McCormick says he wants to do it now while the tragic event is fresh on the minds of the city, the state and the nation.
Mayor Andy Berke is encouraging Chattanoogans to attend Saturday’s event at 2pm at McKenzie Arena.
There are 8500 seats, and they’ll go on a first come basis.