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Crowds pack Ross’s Landing for tribute to five slain servicemen
It was an embarrassing moment in Chattanooga on Wednesday.
The flags were flying, the Blue Angels were on the way, the sky and river were gorgeous. People were smiling and donating their money and making tributes to five fallen military men slain here two months ago in a horrific mass shooting.
Then a craggy retired admiral, James Aloysius “Ace” Lyons Jr., grasped the microphone on the Riverbend stage and began spewing hate and railing at President Barack Obama – blaming him for the July 16 shootings.
The question is: How did he get there?
A Google search shows that Lyons made headlines several times earlier this year with blistering attacks on Obama and his policies, so this was not a random moment for him. Lyons’ name was not on any of the online announcements about the Chattanooga Unite event.
“It was a blemish on an otherwise great day,” said Riverbend Festival President Chip Baker. “He was not someone we invited. We had to get him off the stage.”
The event was not supposed to be about politics, Baker said, adding, “We’re not going to focus on this anymore. This was a great day.”
Baker was and is right, of course. It was a great day, and the moment when this mumbling man took the microphone should not diminish it. Lyons ended telling the crowd, “They’re trying to get me off the stage.” And then they did.
Soon the Blue Angels flew over and the real tribute began again.
Chattanooga Strong.