Community Reaction to Memorial Service

Hundreds of people filed in while the Marine Corps band played famous military hymns.

Filling the floor seats were uniformed service members.

One officer shares his thoughts on the importance of this memorial service where Vice President Joe Biden was one of several national dignitaries that spoke.

"While nothing totally brings closure, it allows you to feel like, yes, not just the community took ownership of it but the nation did and it was important that our nation’s leaders came here," said U.S. Navy Commander James Polickoski.

Biden lost his own son to cancer earlier this year which added a unique compassion to his remarks.

"Vice President Biden, with the recent loss of his own son and his first wife who died, he does know tragedy," said Polickoski. "His words did actually ring true. It wasn’t just a politician trying to. His words rang true for him and they were what this town and this family needed."

A nurse anesthetist who tended to Navy Petty Officer Second Class Randall Smith while he fought for his life was in attendance as well.

"We helped take care of him and we all worked really hard," said Sarah Butler who is a nurse anesthetist at Erlanger. "He was really special so some of us are here today just to honor him."

Others in attendance share their thoughts on this memorial service to the fallen heroes.

"It was perfect," said former Marine Diane Knight of Chattanooga. "They did everything the right way. And all the emotional appeal and still kept it very solemn and was true to what the family probably needed to hear and hear the support from the city."

"It meant a lot to me," said Army veteran Jerry Giblin of Monteagle who was in attendance. "It touched me. It just touched me to my heart and I’ll never forget that day. And this day."