Governor Haslam to Memorialize Seven Service Members

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Tennessee Department of Veterans Services Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder and Tennessee Military Department Adjutant General, Major General Terry “Max” Haston will memorialize seven service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the Armed Forces.   

Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Sullivan, Staff Sergeant David Wyatt, Sergeant Carson Holmquist and Lance Corporal Squire Wells were killed in a terrorist attack at the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center in Chattanooga on July 16, 2015.  Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith was critically injured in the shooting and later died from his injuries on July 18, 2015.

First Lieutenant Alexander Bonnyman was killed on November 22, 1943 during the Battle of Tarawa, but his remains were not recovered and identified until June, 2015.  The Medal of Honor recipient was laid to rest in Knoxville on September 27, 2015.

Sergeant Gary Reese was killed on August 13, 2005 when the Humvee he was riding in during a mission in Iraq was struck by an improvised explosive device that killed Reese and two other soldiers.  Gary Reese, Sr. and Cathy Reese will receive the Gold Star Family Proclamation on Friday, May 27 at 10:00 a.m. (CDT) at War Memorial Plaza in downtown, Nashville.

WHO:            Governor Bill Haslam, TDVS Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder, Tennessee Military Department Adjutant General, Major General Terry “Max” Haston

WHAT:         Memorialize Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Sullivan, Staff Sergeant David Wyatt, Sergeant Carson Holmquist, Lance Corporal Squire Wells, Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith, First  Lieutenant  Alexander Bonnyman and Sergeant Gary Reese.

WHEN:         Friday, May 27, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. (CDT)

WHERE:       War Memorial Plaza, Nashville

NOTE:          In case of inclement weather, the event will be relocated to the second floor of the State Capitol.