That’s one wish that most definitely will come true. Sullivan was deployed twice to Iraq and received two Purple Hearts and a Combat Action Ribbon. “He wanted to be remembered fighting for his country”. Sadness over the loss was permeating his small hometown.
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A 2012 graduate of Sprayberry High in the Atlanta suburb of Marietta, where he was in the band, Wells went on to study history at Georgia Southern University. A separate profile for the India Battery, third Battalion, 12th Marines lists Sullivan as “one of our personal”.
Wells’ mother was watching television coverage of the shooting when Marines appeared at her door.
The slain Marines were identified as Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan. Anyone who went to Holy Cross School, Cathedral High School or grew up in the East Forest Park knew who Tommy was.
“He was our hero”, read a post on the Facebook page of Nathan Bill’s Bar and Restaurant, “and he will never be forgotten”.
Members of Wells’ family, including his mother, served in the military, said Garrett Reed, a close friend since fourth grade.
Sgt. Carson Holmquist: “We miss you Daddy”. While Walsh did not know Sullivan personally, he said his rank told him a lot about what kind of solider he was. “RIP Brother and Semper Fi”, posted Chris Craig. Masslive.com said Sullivan, 40, grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts.
“He was such a great husband and father”, wrote one woman. Now his family are coming to terms with his death. God bless these courageous men – and their families. “It’s sad that there are so many things like this going on in the world today and there are so many other people trying to do so much good”. “He was a young man who served his country with honor and distinction and had his whole life ahead of him”, Neal wrote. Wells loved being part of his high school’s JROTC program.
His hometown mayor, Dominic Sarno, called Sullivan a man who “dedicated his life in courageous service”. Skip’s grandfather was in the Air Force during the Cuban missile crisis, and Wells himself was in the Navy during desert storm.
Our prayers are with the wounded as we wish them a full recovery and our hearts are with the loved ones left behind.
It is hard to imagine the heartbreak and grief they are experiencing on the sudden loss of their son. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has not yet found any connections to global terrorism.
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Federal authorities have called the shooting an act of domestic terror.
