CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee -- With the sound of tires rolling on hard pavement a procession of cars following a single white hearse come to a slow stop under the blistering sun at the Chattanooga National Cemetery on July 24, 2015. Seven Marines step away from the hearse gripping the handles of a casket, draped in a American flag. The Marines take a long walk with the casket bearing the weight of a fallen brother for one last time.
As hundreds of people trickle in to surround the casket a somber silence settles around the crowd. The silence is broken by the starting note of “Taps” echoing across the cemetery followed by the crack of seven rifles firing in unison. After the last notes play an American flag is folded and presented to the wife of Staff Sgt. David A. Wyatt, to honor him for his selfless sacrifice and dedication to this country.
Wyatt was one of five service members killed when a gunman tragically attacked the Naval Operational Support Center and Marine Corps Reserve Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee on July 16, 2015. Wyatt and four others gave the ultimate sacrifice while upholding the ethos of never leaving anyone behind.
“Our Marines reacted the way you expect, rapidly going from room to room they got their fellow Marines to safety,” said Maj. Gen. Paul W. Brier, commander of 4th Marine Division, in a statement given earlier this week. “Once they got to safety some willingly ran back into the fight. All of us can be extremely proud of what our Marines did that day.”
According to the Marines who served closely with him, Wyatt displayed the traits of a great Marine, he was dedicated and not only showed his love for the Corps but for his family.
"Staff Sgt. Wyatt is a great American, a loving father, husband, friend and Marine,” said Maj. Michael Abrams, commander of Battery M. “He's the type of person we all strive to be."
The community of Chattanooga recognized the service Wyatt and his fellow Marines provided and came out by the hundreds to show their support to the Marines and their families during this time of loss.
Wyatt will now go on to join his brothers who fell before him protecting the country they loved, he will forever be in the hearts of the Marines, family and community to which he was dedicated.