What Is #NoogaStrong

  • Monday, July 27, 2015

I've seen some recent posts asking exactly what Chattanooga Strong means. This week I have seen enough that I believe I can give you a definition of this glorious word.  

As a city everyone will not always get along or agree. Often we may ask ourselves what is wrong with these nuts. Often we run across the rude, crude and ugly. But when tragic happens, we all come together and stand strong.  

We ran off the Westboro crazies. Yes there is a law that Chattanooga got passed, but trust me, even without it, they were ran off.  I know that from the horse's mouth himself.  Don't ask. That's all you need to know.  

Now, also the police allowed the bikers to protect the fallen hero's family. I think that is just, well, Chattanooga Strong. We as a city, you as a city, I live in Georgia, you as a city, all came together.  I saw so much love and kindness the other day. It was breathtaking.  

We got the law passed, we ran them off, we came together, we stood for seven, 10, 14 hours in the heat to show the families, to show the protesters, to show outsiders, to show our neighbors that these men did not die in vain.  They died protecting us.  They died doing what they love and what God has called them to do.  God used them to protect us when he physically couldn't.  He used their bodies, minds and their hearts to keep us all safe.  Now, his soldiers have arrived home.  

Their death was heartbreaking and I'm sure a lot of people will be asking why for a long time.  But their deaths were not in vain. They were true heroes.  

So what does Chattanooga Strong mean, you ask?  It means when terror accrues, we go full force to stop it, to help heal, to prevent further terror, and we stand stronger than we ever knew we could. We ease the sorrows with enormous amounts of love.  The officers, one saved a kid, they risk their own lives to save us.  The Marines, they sent others to safety as they stayed back to try to protect others.  The bikers, they were ready to meet these Westboros face to face and say to them you will not.  

I used to kind of have a hate of Chattanooga.  I thought it was overrun by thug life.  Now I can see it is one of the most beautiful cities around.  There are fighters here.  There are lovers here. The city came together and stood strong.  

So I say Chattanooga Strong.  When five fall, 50,000+ rise even higher to say this is how it's going to be. Chattanooga doesn't sit quietly. They shield, protect and correct.  I've seen the love of Chattanooga in so many.  These were not just performers or attention grabbers.  These were sincere, loving people, ready to say we are strong. We will stand as one.  Sure this won't make everyone a saint. We are all human. But it does make them fighters, ready for whatever may come their way. That is Chattanooga Strong.

Sherry Ann Stephenson

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