VP Biden Attends Chattanooga Military Memorial for 5 Slain in July Shooting

Thomas Sullivan and Lance Cpl. Carson Holmquist and Navy Petty Officer Randall Smith.

Speaking before Biden, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said officials may never know “what combination of disturbed mind, violent extremism and hateful ideology” was behind the shooting.

“I know it’s hard”, Biden told the mourners who filled the McKenzie Arena on the campus of the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.

The Navy made it very clear to PunditFact: the investigation is ongoing and no charges are pending or being seriously considered against White. “It’s always been a bad bad bet to do that”, Biden said.

In May, military installation commanders stepped up security at bases nationwide after the U.S. Northern Command, which oversees operations inside the continental United States, ordered a force protection level to increase from “Alpha”, its lowest level, to “Bravo”, the second in the scale of four. Given the circumstances and the heartfelt nature of his delivery I’m hesitant to read too much into this, but we’re in the middle of campaign season and it’s simply impossible to ignore totally.

“These men leave behind a legacy of selflessness and courage that humbles and inspires each one of us”, said Major Michael Abrams with the U.S. Marine Corps. “This act has only strengthened our resolve”.

The vice president’s statement appears at odds with the official comments of investigators who have said they have not been able to determine a motive behind the attacks.

One month after the fatal shooting of four Marines and a sailor here at a Navy Reserve Center, an air of uncertainty still surrounds the catastrophic attack and its roots. The five servicemen were shot dead by 24-year-old Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez, who was himself shot dead by police.

Carter noted that the recruiting centers remained open nationwide – there has been some controversy on whether the personnel should be armed or not – and were continuing to be busy.

Portraits of the fallen men were on the podium along with their boots and helmets.

They are the “finest generation of warriors the world has ever known”, he said. “Even here in this great city, Chattanooga, Tennessee, recruits are still lining up to volunteer – in some cases, more than they were before”.

At Saturday’s tribute, the vice president spoke of an “intense, consuming feeling of loss and emptiness” that comes with the death of a loved one. But he, too, was outspoken when it came to resolve.

“When this perverted jihadist struck, everybody responded”, Biden stated.