Springfield native was among four U.S. Marines killed in Tennessee
Thomas Sullivan had served two tours in Iraq and earned a Purple Heart.
Thomas Sullivan’s Facebook page shows images of the U.S. Marine in uniform, but his profile picture is of a Dropkick Murphys t-shirt design. Sullivan was a Massachusetts native, and one of the four marines killed in a barrage of gunfire in Tennessee on Thursday.
Sullivan, 40, grew up in Springfield and served two tours of duty in Iraq, earning a Purple Heart, according to MassLive. His family confirmed to MassLive that Sullivan died in the attacks that occurred at two military facilities in Chattanooga.
Sullivan—“Tommy’’ to friends and family—was one of three kids to Betty and Jerry Sullivan, according to the site; Tommy was in Hampden, Massachusetts, where his parents currently live, just days ago.
Now, his sister Dianne, and brother Joe have shared images of Tommy on their Facebook pages with friends offering condolences. One friend shared a link to a Dropkick Murphys song as a tribute to Sullivan.
Joe Sullivan is an owner of Nathan Bill’s Bar & Restaurant, located in the same East Forest Park neighborhood in which he and his brother grew up.
The restaurant posted this tribute to Tommy on their Facebook page.
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Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has ordered flags lowered to half-staff at all state buildings beginning Friday morning in honor of Sullivan, and issued a statement about the Tennessee shootings:
“The senseless violence that occurred in Tennessee is a terrible tragedy made worse by the fact that the brave individuals whose lives were taken answered the call to serve and protect our nation. Today, our prayers are with the wounded as we wish them a full recovery and our hearts are with the loved ones left behind by the heart breaking loss of four American patriots.’’
Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey also offered his condolences, specifically for the commonwealth’s loss of one of its own:
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of Sergeant Thomas Sullivan who was killed during a senseless act of violence and hatred. A son of Springfield and Purple Heart recipient, Sergeant Sullivan served our nation with honor and fought to keep us safe. This is a terrible and heartbreaking loss for our Commonwealth and our nation. My thoughts and prayers are with the Sullivan family and all of the other families affected by this monstrous attack.’’
Before the Governor’s request, Joe Sullivan has asked people in Western Massachusetts to lower their American flags to half mast as well, according to MassLive.
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