Memorial held for Fallen Five in hopes it inspires unity
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Tuesday marks nine years since a terrorist attack claimed the lives of five service members in Chattanooga.
On July 16, 2015, four Marines; Sergeant Carson Holmquist, Logistics Specialist Randall Smith, Staff Sergeant David Wyatt, and Lance Corporal Skip Wells, along with Logistics Specialist Randall Smith of the Navy were shot and killed at the Marine Corps Reserve Center off of Amnicola Highway.
A remembrance ceremony commemorating the anniversary was held Tuesday in their memorial at the Tennessee Riverpark.
Speakers such as retired Naval captain Mickey McCamish discussed the need to continue remembering their sacrifice.
Captain McCamish said, “They were great United States military men. They were all committed to the oath that they took to protect and defend the United States, and they did that to the last breath. A lot of people don’t realize that, that we put our lives on the line for our country, and that was the oath that we took.”
Another thing on the minds of those who attended today’s memorial is how that event connects to current events.
The terrorist in the attacks nine years ago was radicalized online by ISIS according to a FBI report.
Unfortunately in the time since the attack, political violence has continued including this past weekend with the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump.
Those who spoke say remembering incidents like what happened here in 2015 is critical to helping prevent future attacks.
Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp said, “First responders, they are called at a moment’s notice in Pennsylvania and Chattanooga into circumstances you could never imagine. It was one of the reasons this day lives in infamy in our community because who would have ever imagined that a kid who grew up down the street from where I grew up in Hixson would be radicalized to the point of bringing this evil to the forefront of our community.”
Captain McCamish said, “I think what it does it shows what unity can do, and coming together, and we are able to do the things that we do, as a result of the four Marines and the Navy sailor.”
Unity they said, is the only way.
“For whatever reasons a person feels alienated, they can’t talk it out, I still can’t understand the why behind it all. I can understand in today’s climate, people have strong feelings one way or another, but I think sometimes we just have to throttle back a little bit and give a self assessment, and see how far you have come,” said Tommy Mitchell, the chairman of the Chattanooga Area Veteran’s Council.
Mayor Wamp added. “I don’t blame what happened over the weekend so much on national trends or one party or another party, I point back to the American home, and I don’t think we are all holding up our end of the bargain. This was another bullied young man, from reports I’ve seen, and that’s just a reminder that all of us, we may not have a role in national politics, we may not have a role in state politics, but we do have a role in serving our neighbors.”
In addition to the Riverpark memorial, there is also a permanent memorial on Lee Highway where the attack began and a mural of the Fallen Five on McCallie Avenue.
News 12 continues to send our condolences to the families of Fallen Five and remains Chattanooga Strong.
