As we take time from our busy lives this weekend, we pause to honor all those that have died in service to our country. Take the time to go by an out of the way corner of the Northgate Mall and visit the temporary home of our own Medal Of Honor museum, as Chattanooga contemplates where the permanent building honoring these brave men and women will be constructed.
It baffles my mind to understand how this decision could have ever become such a political football. Having given their all to help preserve our precious freedoms, what do we have that could possibly match their sacrifice? What price do we put on freedom? Having served my country, I know like all servicemen and women that those that we knew that never returned home deserve our greatest measure of eternal gratitude.
Chattanooga has its own hero, Medal Of Honor recipient Charles Coolidge. Though he is now frail and weak, he is still with us, and nothing would bring more of a smile to his face than to live long enough to see a beautiful new Charles Coolidge Medal Of Honor Heritage Center standing in a quiet corner of the very park named in his honor, and dedicated to the memory of him and others that share our nation's highest honor
It brings sadness to my heart to think that anyone would not want a beautiful reverent display honoring these heroes sitting on the bank of our city for the whole country to enjoy for ages to come. The shallow and self-serving excuses voiced for not dedicating a small portion of of this ground ring hollow and cannot even fall on the shadow of the reasons that this Heritage Center deserves to be on that honored ground.
Local leaders like four-star General B.B. Bell have voiced the most reasoned admonitions as to why we need to put all politics and indifference aside and move forward with building this Heritage Center in its rightful place. General Bell's years of service to our country, leading our brave men and women as they serve and, yes, even died for our country should cause us to follow his lead and voice our support for this most sacred and honorable enterprise.
As we drive through Chattanooga's National Cemetery and view the thousands of markers of those who have served our nation and have passed on, ask yourself as you attend the Memorial Day service there, don't they deserve the best we have to give?
Bill Reesor
Ooltewah