Local park renamed for fallen Marine

MARIETTA, Ga. — The memory of a Cobb County Marine, killed in a terrorist attack in Chattanooga, should now live on forever in his hometown.

A park in Marietta was renamed in honor of Lance Cpl. Skip Wells on Sunday.

Wells the ultimate sacrifice in his love for his country.

Sunday afternoon, local officials and his family showed how much they loved him, for it.

Bells Ferry Park became Marine Lance Cpl. Squire "Skip" Wells Park.

"Considering I drive by this park every day on my bus route, I get to see his name every day," Skip’s mother Cathy Wells said. "Despite what the children in the back of the bus might be doing. It's going to put a smile on my face."

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The Cobb County Board of Commissioners worked to achieve the name change. Some were on hand for the ceremony.

"He gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom. He gave his life for this country. And we can never repay him. But we can honor him in a small way," Cobb County Commissioner JoAnn Birrell said.

Wells died in July 2015, when a shooter inspired by terrorism opened fire at a Chattanooga military recruitment center and U.S. Navy reserve center, killing Wells and four other servicemen.

"He loved his country. He wanted to protect us," Cathy Wells said.

His mother said Skip grew up playing in this park. Now, he'll be there forever.

"Kids will come here every day and they'll ask who is Skip Wells?  Who is he? He's a hero. He's our hero," Cathy Well said.

A post office on Sandy Plains Road was also recently renamed in Wells' honor.

Cox Media Group