Chattanooga mourns yesterday’s tragedy in unison

The city came together to mourn in unison.  Hundreds packed Olivet Baptist Church to pray for the families effected by yesterday’s tragedy and to begin to pick up the pieces of a city with a broken heart.

Congressman Chuck Fleischmann said, "We have lost 4 marines.  A police officer was shot.  Another solider, a sailor rather, is clinging to life. It’s a very sad day."

Yesterday is not a day that will not soon be forgotten in the Scenic City.  It is a day that has left many asking the same question"

"What are we supposed to do when a city is marked by that kind of trauma, when a whole city feels grief?  What are we supposed to do?  We are supposed to seek the peace of the city in which we are called," said Govornor Haslam.

And that is exactly what the hundreds that came together were seeking, peace.  When many could have displayed anger or hatred, instead they chose forgiveness.

Mayor Andy Berke said, "Tonight was about love and forgiveness and belief in one another was the theme, because that is what Chattanooga Strong means."

Even with the tears shed and the mourning for those lost, Senator Corker said, "We still must celebrate what we do have."

"We celebrate the fact that we have people like our marines, like our navy, like the FBI, like the  Sheriffs Department."

The healing has begun, but the community must continue to pick up the pieces and not forget the families of the victims.  The National Center for Victims of Crime and the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga have come together to support the families of the victims of yesterday’s tragedy.  

2 ways to Donate:

1. Directly to the victims through Nationalcompassionfund.org

2. To the long term care and scholarship fund for the spouses and children of the victims by sending a check to "Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga" with memo "7-16 freedom Fund" mailed to Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga 1270 Market St, Chattanooga, TN 37402