Friday, October 23, 2009

Today in History.............

1983...............

In Beirut, Lebanon a truck bomb exploded in a building that was being used by U.S. Marines as a barracks. 241 Marines and Sailors died in the explosion.

The Marines involved were based out of Camp Lejeune here in North Carolina, so this loss was strongly felt here in the Old North State.

May the Lord keep watch over their souls.


4 comments:

Andrew Duppstadt said...

We were living in Pennsylvania at the time, I was 10 years old, and it's the first time I had ever seen my dad cry. I honestly think this single event is what spurred him to make the decision to move back to Jacksonville, NC; he missed being close to the Corps that he had served for 20 years and wanted to be back in the military community. In September 1985, we were back in NC. Today, I live within walking distance of the Beirut Memorial. The park that surrounds it now includes a memorial to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and a Vietnam memorial. The Museum of the Marine will be built adjacent to this park (which unfortunately is one of those "I'll believe it when I see it" things).

One of these days when you come for a visit, I'll take you by the Beirut Memorial; I know you'll appreciate it.

Michael W. said...

Thanks for sharing that story and I will look forward to seeing the memorial next time I venture that way.

B.T.W. You were TEN in 1985? Santa Maria,you are making me feel even older than I thought I felt before reading your post. -grin- I am hanging around with a bunch o' young'uns.

Andrew Duppstadt said...

No, I was 10 years old in 1983 (yeah, I know, a whole two years difference). We moved back to NC when I was in 7th grade.

Michael W. said...

Sorry, The 1985 was a typo.

I am STILL hanging around with a bunch o' young'uns. -grin-