The Beirut Memorial

The Beirut Memorial occupies a wooded site between Camp Lejeune and Jacksonville, North Carolina. It carries the names of those killed in the attack, those who died from their wounds and those who were killed in other attacks in Beirut - 270 names.



Survivors words are haunting:

"It was the First Battle of World War Three," -Bob Jordan
"We began to take terrorism seriously," - Chaplain Danny Wheeler

To learn more about the Beirut Memorial in North Carolina, go here.
To learn more about the Beirut Memorial in Arlington, go here.

They Came in Peace ~ The Beirut Bombing

Beirut, Lebanon

October 23, 1983

THEY CAME IN PEACE ~ but the bombings of the Marine barracks in Lebanon on October 23, 1983 cost the lives of 220 Marines, 18 Sailors and 3 Soldiers. Many more were critically injured. The US Marines were posted in Lebanon in the summer of 1982. On March 34, 1983, the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit, stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, received orders to Beirut, Lebanon. Their mission from President Reagan: Help keep the peace in the war torn country.

The Marine Barracks before and after the bombings.

At 6:22 am, a Sunday morning, on October 23, 1983, a suicide bomber crashed a truck laded with explosives through barbed wire and concertina fence and penetrated into the central lobby of the United States Marines Headquarters building and detonated. The force ripped the building from its foundation and the building imploded upon itself. The occupants inside were crushed. A near simultaneous attack was made on a building housing French paratroopers and killing 58.

We were in Beirut because the Lebanese Government had asked for our help. They saw their country slipping into total anarchy; they saw the United States and her Marines and Sailors as their saviors. We truly did come in peace. We came to do what Marines have done since the beginning of this country: to protect the rights of the innocent and advance the interest of freedom.

Remarks by the Commandant of the Marine Corps to the Senate Armed Services Committee, October 31, 1983:

"In closing, Mr Chairman, let me say that the subject of increased terrorism against all Americans around the world may be one of the most serious problems which could be addressed by this Committee on a priority basis. This unprecedented, massive "kamikaze" attack was not against young Marines, Sailors and Soldiers - it was a vicious, surprise attack against the United States of America and all we stand for in the free world.

Let me say, with all of the emphasis I can, that there are skilled and professional terrorists out there right now who are examining our vulnerabilities and making devices which are designed to kill Americans, lots of Americans around the world, in further acts of mass murder by terrorism. Let there be no doubt about it.

I would hope that the Congress would use this incident of cruel and premeditated mass murder to help us determine ways which tell nations that they cannot export and support terrorists who kill innocent Americans with impunity.

The perpetrators and supports of this challenge to the rights of free men everywhere must be identified and punished. I will have little sleep until this happens."

Thank you.
- General Paul X Kelley, USMC,
29th Commandant of the Marine Corps


Obviously, no one heeded the wise words of General Kelley. Looking back on the 23rd anniversary of the event, I hope Americans will see it as the profoundly important event that it was. I also hope hope you will find a moment of silence to remember all who were lost that day, their families and friends, and those injured and those who survived who still carry this momentous event with them each day.


For a wonderful slide show and documentary of the Beirut Story, go here.
For the Beirut Documentary, go here.


Please scroll down for four more entries about the Beirut Bombing.

The Beirut Memorial

The Beirut Memorial occupies a wooded site between Camp Lejeune and Jacksonville, North Carolina. It carries the names of those killed in the attack, those who died from their wounds and those who were killed in other attacks in Beirut - 270 names.



Survivors words are haunting:

"It was the First Bettle of World War Three," -Bob Jordan
"We began to take terrorism seriously," - Chaplain Danny Wheeler

To learn more about the Beirut Memorial in North Carolina, go here.
To learn more about the Beirut Memorial in Arlington, go here.

Honor the Fallen ~ Beirut Stamp

A long and ongoing attempt is being made by surviviors and families of the fallen to get a commemorative stamp to honor those lost in Beirut. To date, the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee has rejected it for the insane reasons: not positive, not pretty, and, my personal favorite: "Beirut did not mean that much to American History, and not enough people were killed".

YOU can help by sending a postcard to the USPS Citizens Advisory Committee letting them know how you feel about the Beirut Stamp Petition.


Send your postcard to:

Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee
Stamp Development
US Postal Service
1735 North Lynn Street Room 5013
Arlington VA 22209-6432


It is two years away from the 25th Anniversary of this event. It would be memorable to have this stamp and so important the survivors and the families of the victims to have this important event remembered, and other Americans are reminded of the cost of freedom.


Please help.

For more information go to the Beirut Stamp Intiitative site.
This evening they are having a Memorial Walk through Washington, DC.

The Bombing of the US Embassy, Lebanon

"Our war on terrorism began on 9/11, but the terrorists was on the United States began a long time ago." - Patrick Hayes

The US Embassy in Lebanon was bombed by Hezbollah terrorists on April 18, 1983 killing 18 Americans and, again, on September 20, 1984 killing 2 soldiers.

When I listened to people siding with Hezbollah against Israel in the recent war, I couldn't understand how any American could side with a group who bombed our Embassy and killed our citizens. I can only imagine the profound heartache that spills upon the families of the fallen when fellow citizens do this. Why? Are they so profoundly ignorant of our history? Are they so profoundly in favor of losing all that we hold dear? Do they have a clue what will become of their lives if these vile people win?

A Poem to Remember Beirut

As I knelt to pray,
Next to the rubble
and the wounded and dead flew away.

It comes to mind,
Images of their bodies,
Haunting till the end of time.

Such a large building and so many men,
Many who will never be seen again.

They were ripped, torn and maimed,
Marines we dug for until all that remained,
Were the rescuers, blood, sweat and pain.

I was one,
Of America's best.

Sent to help the others,
Put the countries at rest.

Over 200 died that day,
All were my brothers,
And now,
They've gone away.

-James Michael Frasier

***************

James was a survivor of the blast in Beirut.