Tomorrow is the 30th
anniversary of the bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. 241 US servicemen died that day including my
friend, classmate and fellow Marine, 1Lt Don Woollett.
The death toll was
241 American servicemen: 220 Marines, 18 sailors and
three soldiers, making this incident the deadliest single-day death toll
for the United States Marine Corps since World War II's Battle of Iwo
Jima and the deadliest single-day death toll for the United States military
since the first day of the Vietnam War's Tet Offensive.
The French also lost
58 paratroopers in an attack to their barracks just minutes after the attack on
the Marine position.
Do you
remember? We should never forget their
sacrifice. As inscribed on the memorial
in Jacksonville, NC, "They came in peace."
RIP Don, I have not
forgotten.
Posts
Hello Ron,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this poignant reminder. Lest we forget. Commenting on the politicians who placed them there is inappropriate here, so I will pass on that. Best wishes to you and to the families of these Marines, soldiers and sailors. As ever, Semper Fidelis.