Swim will follow Remember the Brave Ceremony at the Fallen Five Memorial

Shepherd’s Men, a team of active duty, medically retired and honorably discharged servicemen and civilian patriots will honor the Fallen Five at a Remember the Brave ceremony and 6-mile swim on the eight-year anniversary of the unprovoked attack that killed four Marines and a Navy Sailor on July 16, 2015 in Chattanooga, TN. The National Medal of Honor Heritage Center is proud to join with Shepherd’s Men and is honored to host the day’s events.

Shepherd’s Men will pay tribute to the fallen, while drawing inspiration from the living—who have had their lives forever altered by the care they received at SHARE Military Initiative, an Atlanta-based comprehensive program that provides free clinical care to post-911 veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress.

“We are in Chattanooga to honor and remember the brave warriors that fell on July 16, 2015. If we as a people fail to practice vigilance, in remembering our fallen heroes, then we will have committed the greatest dishonor and they will have died twice,” said Travis Ellis, Shepherd’s Men co-founder. “We must also care for our veterans who return home with visible and invisible wounds. Our veterans deserve to live meaningful, gratifying lives with their families after their courageous service to our country.”

Remember the Brave Ceremony Details

Hosted by Shepherd’s Men and the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, the Remember the Brave ceremony, which will be held at the Fallen Five Memorial, located on the Tennessee Waterfront across from Mike Battery, will begin at 8:00 a.m. and include remarks from Shepherd’s Men co-founder Travis Ellis, City Mayor Tim Kelly, County Mayor Jennifer Pukenas, First Sgt Walt Marques, USMC Retired—his friendship with David Wyatt (one of the Fallen Five), a SHARE graduate testimony, a wreath presentation, closing prayer and Taps performance.

“We are proud to partner with Shepherd’s Men to remember the Fallen Five and honor what they stood for on July 16, 2015,” said Vince Butler, representative with the Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center.  “We invite all Chattanoogans to join us on Sunday morning at the Fallen Five Memorial as we come together to remember, honor and pay tribute to these five heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. In doing so, we also hope the public will learn more about Shepherd’s Men and the important work they are doing to lift up our veterans who have been affected by the hidden injuries of war.”

Six-Mile Swim Insights  

At approximately 8:30 a.m., the six-mile swim will begin at the Tennessee Riverpark Boat Ramp and conclude behind the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center at the Aquarium Plaza. The 10 members of Shepherd’s Men will enter the water—using the buddy tow movement to symbolically represent the mantra of no man left behind. At 200m, the towing will switch. At approximately 400m, eight swimmers will board a boat and two will remain in the water. The swimmers will remain in the water doing the 400m rotations until they cover the six miles.

“Many veterans sit at home in isolation struggling with the injuries sustained in combat,” said Ellis. “This swim will reinforce the fact that no one is alone. SHARE is the vessel that can help navigate the most turbulent waters.”

About Shepherd’s Men  

Shepherd’s Men is comprised of active, medically retired and honorably discharged servicemen and civilian patriots who are dedicated to creating advocacy and opportunity for our nation’s heroes who have been affected by the hidden injuries of war. They raise funds and awareness for the SHARE Military Initiative at Shepherd Center in Atlanta. Since 2014, Shepherd’s Men has raised more than $8 million for SHARE. This comprehensive rehabilitation program focuses on assessment and treatment for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who suffer from traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorders. For more information, please visit www.shepherdsmen.com. #SHAREtheburden22