Area veterans honor Marines killed in Chattanooga

July 29--After watching the news and seeing fellow Marines shot and killed July 16 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Jean Lushin, past commandant of the Albert E. Shockey Marine Corps League Detachment #930, knew he had to do something in their honor.

With the help from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1152, American Legion Post 6, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 28 and Grissom Marine Corps League and Hoosier Heartland Blue Star Mothers, Lushin decided to hold a memorial service honoring the five service men who were killed that tragic day.

"After watching the news, I couldn't let that go unnoticed," said Lushin, who presided over the service Tuesday evening to a large crowd that gathered at the Howard County Veterans Memorial in Darrough Chapel Park.

"We're both angered and saddened by what happened," he said.

"They have fathers, mothers and brothers mourning and we wanted to let the families know we care."

After an opening prayer from the Rev. Jeff Russell, a veteran of the Marines, the traditional posting of the colors was presented by the Marines followed by the National Anthem and the laying of the wreaths.

The service served as a reminder of the sacrifices made by service men and women every day in the military.

The four Marines killed that tragic day were Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sulllivan, Staff Sgt. Carson A. Holmquist, Staff Sgt. David A. Wyatt and Lance Cpl. Squire K. Wells. The four Marines along with Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith, were gunned down in two drive-by shootings at a recruiting center and at a naval reserve center. The shooter, Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez, was killed by police in the gunfight.

Cindy Caldwell, whose son, Adam Wheeler, is stationed in Camp Atterbury serving in the National Guard, was touched by the ceremony.

"I think it's wonderful to see the support," she said of the large crowd. "It's really wonderful and quite fitting."

After the service, the veterans and other attendees were treated to hot dogs and other refreshments donated by the American Legion Post 6.

"It's a sad tragedy," said Marine Corps veteran Luis Nino said of losing the five servicemen. "This means something."

Nino, who served in an anti-terrorist unit at Grissom, believes the service men and women stationed throughout the country should not be sitting ducks and should be armed.

"We shouldn't have our service men sitting prey," he said. "These crazies come out of the woodwork and they can't defend themselves."

Nino said he believes all military stations or recruiting offices should have armed service men and women to protect themselves from this type of terrorism.

"The legislators need to do something."

Nino said he was shocked by the community support for the ceremony.

"I thought maybe there would be 30 or 40 people here," he said. "Kokomo has always supported its community and service members."

Mike Fletcher can be reached at 765-454-8565 or by email at mike.fletcher@kokomotribune.com

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