Two weeks to the day have passed.
Two weeks after the terrorist attacks on two military locations.
Has the fire in your heart dimmed?
Has the nausea the comes in waves let up?
Has the anger that makes you look into the night sky and curse the creation of madness in the world diminished?
Have you come to the realization that terrorism has come to our Tennessee Valley?
Have you felt the need to go armed, everywhere?
I know all readers know where I am going. I pray, we as a neighborhood, city and the great state of Tennessee do not forget, ever. We pride ourselves as volunteers. We remember the names of Crockett, Jackson, and what they stood for. These great men of our times are no different than a Marine walking on duty at a base in Chattanooga. These men were on duty at their post. Now I will tell you what we owe them.
Let not their lives been lost in vain. We now know, it doesn't happen somewhere else, it has happened here. All of us must respond to the call. Pay attention and due vigilance to everything around you. Use the "feeling" that something isn't right and call somebody. The brave Chattanooga Police Department, Hamilton County Sheriff's Office and other responders answered the call and put down the terrorist. They all stand ready to come check out what you, an eyewitness to the scene, don't "feel" right about.
We will never be the same we were on July 16 before 10:40 a.m.
Mitchell Thurmer
Polk County