THE FIRST 4th, THE COST OF FREEDOM 

Less than a year later, the wounds remained quite raw for both the Marines and Navy. In following years, the remembrance of the great loss would continue and still does today. The following is one such memory. 

 

It was July 4th 1984 and the USS Nassau (LHA-4) was ported in Haifa, Israel for liberty and an Independence Day event. Local dignitaries were invited on board to view the lowering of colors, which was to be conducted by the ship’s crew along with a Marine escort. The Headquarters and Service Company (3rd Battalion , 8th Marine Regiment) First Sergeant Ihor Swanyck tasked me with leading the 12 Marine escort that was comprised of Marines from the Surveillance, Target and Acquisition Platoon. After a few rehearsals, we executed the detail, drawing applause and supportive comments. A few days later I was called and asked to repeat the task, but as a wreath ceremony detail off the coast of Beirut. Reginald Bartholomew, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, came on board July 31st for the ceremony. Seven Marines from the earlier escort fired 3 volleys and the Ambassador threw a wreath into the Mediterranean signaling our departure from Lebanese waters. 

Gary Smith, Chairman, BVA (Corporal, USMC) 

BVA SCHOLARSHIP

Though the competition was tough, this year there was one particular young man Chase Hamilton of Carroll, Ohio who really excelled in so many aspects of his life. Chase recently graduated Bloom-Carroll High School with a 4.0 GPA and contributed nearly 600 hours of documented service work that benefits his school, community, the Scouts, his Church and Civil Air Patrol. Because of his grades and contribution, he was accepted and is attending the United States Air Force Academy shortly. To read his excellent essay, please go to our website www.beirutveterans.org

HAND SALUTE

For anyone who has ever been in a leadership role, it is often hard work and there is never enough assistance. The BVA has been blessed to have had such a person, that being Jon Warmerling (Corporal, 2nd Combat Engineers, 3rd Battalion , 8th Marine Regiment) who chaired the BVA from 2012 to 2024 and recently announced his retirement.

 

His accomplishments were significant, which positively impacted the organization in the current and for the future. From the earliest days in the 1980s, he networked with a wide array of people, which would eventually evolve to the more formal organization and subsequently, what we have today. It did not take too long for him to become ever more involved and included participation in scores of remembrance events and initiatives.

 

When elected as Chairman in 2012 he set about to implement improved organization, increased awareness, and the foundation of the 30th Anniversary. While he accomplished many things, he was instrumental in updating the current bylaws to make them compliant to the more stringent IRS and corporate standards, as well as anticipating future needs. He subsequently “incorporated” the BVA, appointed the first official directors, established it as a 501(c)3 (aka tax exempt, non-profit), and trademarked the logo. While there are even more contributions, this gives a good overview of the breadth and depth of his contributions and for that we are appreciative. Semper Fi from your Beirut family. for your content.

TIME MARCHES ON 

It has been almost a year (July 29th) since General Alfred Gray, 29th Commandant of the USMC was laid to rest with many of our Brothers in Arlington National Cemetery. While his record is well known from Korea to the Persian Gulf, he was duly titled the “Marine’s Marine.” In the words of Retired Gunnery Sgt. Jeff Labrador who served as a corporal under Gray in Beirut in 1983, he fondly notes “He was the most fair man that I ever served with . . . I say ‘man’ because he was down-to-earth, so humble, and he didn’t care about rank.” In that, there is much be said about the legacy each of us leaves and General Gray did just that. Semper Fi and Til Valhalla. [Some detail courtesy ANC] I'm a new Text block ready for your content.

SHARING FREEDOM

 

We often forget, but the impact of our Beirut Brothers was significant to the local population. Alexander Norling, who is Captain in the USMC (5th Battalion, 14th Marines), reflects about one such person, his mother Amani Norling who grew up in Lebanon amidst its civil war. She survived multiple massacres and bombing campaigns committed by Phalange, Syrian, and Israeli troops as well as lived through the Sabra and Shatila massacre. At a time when she, like many Lebanese civilians, was vulnerable to artillery bombardment, air strikes, and snipers, the Marines arrived in an effort to bring peace to a war-torn nation. Amidst the siege of Beirut in 1982, without access to medicine, she nearly became an indirect casualty of war. Her case of strep throat nearly spread to her heart. The Marines facilitated the transfer of live-saving medicine and protected her from all of Lebanon’s belligerents. Amani Norling stood a mile away from the Marine Corps Barracks on October 23, 1983, a day that forever lives in infamy. She fled to the United States in June 1984. She went from scrubbing toilets at Denny’s to being a postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard’s medical school. She currently holds a Master’s in Behaviorism and a PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience. The Beirut Veterans of America should know that they protected a future Harvard neuroscientist. Without a doubt, the Marines made a difference.” 

BVA NEWS 

In addition to our newsletter, which is both emailed and posted on the website, you can often find news or network with others in the following places: 

 

Beruit Veterans of America Official Group (Facebook): 

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/53112367708 

Beruit Navy Veterans (Facebook): 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/613352502037542 

Beruit Veterans of America (Instagram): 

@Beirut_Veterans_Of_America 

Beruit Veterans of America (X formerly known as Twitter): 

@BeirutVets 

YOUR STORY 

Your stories matter to us, no matter your branch, and we want any and all of them. If you have an idea, please share with our editor at kevin.macomber at beirutveterans.org. 

 

Root Scoop is the Official newsletter of Beirut Veterans of America. For more information, go to www.beirutveterans.org 

Beirut Veterans of America

PO Box 1011

Fairport Harbor, OH 44077-1011

 

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