Posted on 10/23/2009 5:24:45 PM PDT by kellynla
RAIN RAN in small rivers from the equipment and the faces of the men loading up to leave in the early hours of that morning.
Although the day had barely gotten a running start, already Camp Lejeune Marines were packing their gear, tying it down, and prepping for deployment.
On the faces of these men — young and shiny baby Marines, experienced men facing their first deployment, and experienced veterans who had already been there and done that — was a grim expectation of what they would face in a few hours when they reached their destination: Beirut, Lebanon. Their worlds would soon tilt and change along with the rest of this country’s.
The date was Oct. 23, 1983, and the United States armed forces had come under attack in an insidious and cowardly strike half a world away. That’s when a building populated by sleeping men exploded, snuffing out the lives of hundreds and forever changing the way America looks at terrorism.
On that wet and gray North Carolina morning, in the chill hours as the dawn breaks, Americans discovered that evil’s reach was far greater than we had imagined.
Eventually, the death toll would rise; nearly 250 Marines and sailors, most based right here in Onslow County, succumbed to injuries from that blast, but the wounds suffered by the victims would never really heal.
Friends, families and this community would always bear the loss of these men. Although it has been nearly three decades, for those who lived in Jacksonville when these events transpired, the memories still linger. There will never be real closure.
The community, stunned by the attack on the American peacekeeping force, wanted to honor the lost lives, commemorate the deaths, and preserve the memories of these Onslow County neighbors. Almost immediately after the news, some began looking for ways to honor those who died and those who were wounded.
A committee formed, and fundraising campaigns began. People reached into their pockets and gave, trees were planted, and land was donated. Eventually, the Beirut Memorial, with its graceful design and statue of a solitary Marine rose from the earth. Each year, families, dignitaries and residents gather there to remember what this community lost in that explosion.
A seemingly effortless act robbed so many of so much. It was a wake-up call for the nation — a tipping point in this country’s understanding of the vicious new evil loose in the world. Since 1983, terrorism against Americans has become both more commonplace and insidious. The relentless hatred that propels such acts as the bombing and resultant destruction of the Marine barracks in Beirut continues to take innocent lives.
That hatred, however, cannot accomplish what it seeks: It cannot rob this country of its determination to live free or diminish the enthusiasm of the U.S. armed forces as well as domestic law enforcement to pursue those who threaten that freedom.
220 Marines, 18 sailors and three soldiers.
My ship (USS Richmond K. Turner CG-20) was one of the many that showed up after that tragedy. And that was after we made a little stop at a place called Grenada to stop the Cubans from taking that island over. I remember seeing that picture as well, and still think about the outcome, or lack thereof.
RIP and Semper Fi Marines, and Fair Winds and Following Seas to the Sailors who gave their lives for their Country.
"The community, stunned by the attack..."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.