BELLA VISTA (KFSM) - American Legion Post 341 in Bella Vista honored those who were killed in the Chattanooga, TN, shooting, by leaving empty bar stools at their post during a recent event.
Post Commander Douglas Grant said he didn't originally know the seats would be reserved.
However, Grant added he was proud of his members when he found out why the seats were saved.
The idea was thought up by Kenny Butts.
Butts said it was a way to honor his fallen brothers, while thanking them for their dedication to the country.
“[I did it] so they would know they would never be forgotten,” Butts said. “So they would know they are here with us every day, even though they are gone.”
“When one of our families suffers, we all suffer,” Grant said. “Obviously we were suffering a great deal this past week with the deaths of these five brave men.”
The post said they originally only had four seats saved, because only four Marines had died at the time of their event.
They said a fifth chair would be added for the sailor who later died.