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I wanted to share these comments that I received from my friend Bev, the founder of The Band of Mothers. Bev received these comments from Dave Madaras, USMC, survivor of the Beirut bombing in Lebanon.

Dave’s Comments:

Thanks for letting me share a few thoughts.

Hostages, high jackings, murders, bombings, IEDs… have been the fruit of the Iranian regime since I was a high school senior in 1979. Over those years we have had 6 yes six United States Presidents none of whom have provided an appropriate response to Iranian attacks on Americans.

I am very familiar with Iran’s thirst for American Blood. On October 23, 1983 I was less the 300 yds. away from Battalion Landing Team 1/8’s Headquarters frequently referred to as the Marine Barracks at the Beirut International Airport. At 0622 the morning of 23OCT83 a terrorist truck bomb blew up in the center of the 4-story concrete building with a blast magnitude of 20,000 pounds of TNT, a blast frequently described as the largest non-nuclear blast to occur on the face of the earth. We lost 220 Marines, 18 Sailors and 3 Soldiers KIA as well as over 100 more wounded. Those great men who occupied that building died a violent and traumatic death. Many bled out trapped under tons of concrete and rebar. These men were in Lebanon as part of a Multi-National PEACE-Keeping Force. Iran teamed up with its partner Hezbollah and, “a look the other way Syria,” to kill these Americans. I remember the speeches from our leaders as to how we will not rest until those who perpetrated this attack were brought to justice. Over 36 years have passed and Iran has actively engineered and carried out many more barbaric murderous attacks and torture of Americans with very little deterring response. Actually, not one of the 6 presidents prior to Donald Trump have done anything of substance to stop the savagery.

I am not a Middle Eastern Strategic Expert like we see on TV. I am a former Marine L/Cpl and have never been to Harvard. I am also an Independent voter and have never been a member of a political party. Bottom line, I am an American who LOVES this great country. In 2018, a large number of Beirut Vets and family members of those who were killed in Beirut were invited to the White House for a 35th anniversary year memorial event (first time that ever happened). My wife and I were in a position to see the teleprompter as President Trump gave a speech and when he started talking about Iran the teleprompter stopped while the President kept speaking. The President spoke from the heart and said Iran would not be allowed to continue hurting and killing Americans without consequence. A year later he stood true to his word. It took over 36 years for a president to FINALLY do something. An American was killed, two others were wounded, our Embassy was attacked and he precisely without collateral damage cut the head off the snake and firmly explained, any more killing of Americans will be met with absolute devastation. Thank You Mr. President for making a tough decisive call.

Finally, all of those who have access to a camera or microphone why do compete with each other for, “Ass Clown of the Year?” You memorialize a f#*king terrorist? WW3? The President has no plan? You folks with all your pompousness are really, really eaten up with a HUGE case of the Dumb Ass. The attack was necessary, precisely executed, our people were prepared for a counter and Iran was told what to expect in return if they killed again. The troops sent to the region are rapid deployment folks (great precautionary action). You all should stop vomiting on your expertise, stay away from the cameras and microphones it’s not working out for you.

God Bless America! Thank You President Trump and Semper Fi! Dave Madaras