Operation Song: Helping Veterans and Families Connected to the Attack on July 16th

Written by Josh Roe, News Channel 9  |   May 18, 2016

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Tracy Smith's son Petty Officer Second Class Randall Smith was killed in the terrorist attack in Chattanooga on July 16. Tracy wears a band on his wrist with his son's name on it.

(WTVC) Chattanooga — In a downtown Chattanooga conference room Navy Lieutenant Commander Tim White hears the song he helped write for the first time.

"Just putting words to the emotions that I felt and the experiences that I've had and kinda connecting those, and going through the exercise of putting it down in writing was helpful," Commander White said.

He was at the Navy Operational Support Center in Chattanooga on July 16, 2015 when a gunman crashed the gates and opened fire. Four Marines and a Navy Petty Officer were killed in the attack. Commander White was the one military member to discharge a weapon that day during the attack.

Commander White told the song writers with Operation Song his story. They took that story and turned it into music. This is one line of the song they wrote for Commander White: 'A voice said sir a car just crashed the gate. I looked out my window, and saw the living breathing embodiment of hate."

Operation Song has been working with the families of those who were killed that day last July. Tracy Smith lost his son, Petty Officer Second Class Randall Smith, in the attack. He also heard his song for the first time on Wednesday morning."It's hard to hear, but I think it tells a story that dying that day didn't make him a hero," Mr. Smith said. "Being there for his kids, spending time with them, just being there that's what made him a hero."Tracy Smith and Commander White both say this process has been very helpful both writing the songs and the support of the people here."I'm honored Randall worked with me, and he was an amazing man and amazing sailor," Commander White said. "I'm so happy to be able to work with Tracy, and it's very very special."Operation Song will perform the songs written about July 16th at Night Fall in downtown Chattanooga on Friday, July 15th.

 Source: News Channel 9