Root Scoop

What is Memorial Day

May 27, 2019

For some, Memorial Day is just a day off work, a day for cookouts, and the start of summer. For Gold Star Families and friends of those lost serving our great country, it has a whole different meaning. 

Memorial Day takes place every year on the last Monday of May and is a day to remember and honor those who died while serving in the US military.
In early May of 1868 General John A. Logan called for a nationwide day of remembrance. On May 30, 1868, that day of remembrance happened, and it was called Decoration Day. On that first Decoration Day General James Garfield spoke at Arlington National Cemetery saying:

“We do not know one promise these men made, only one pledge they gave, one word they spoke; but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and make immortal their patriotism and their virtue”. James Garfield (as cited Arizona PBS, n.d.)

Observation day eventually became known as Memorial Day and continued to be celebrated on May 30 every year until 1968, when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act which moved Memorial Day to the last Monday of May.
For Gold Star Families and Beirut Veterans, this Memorial Day is like every other day as we remember those who we so dearly loved and lost on October 23, 1983. Each of us has been impacted by that moment in time and carry that impact with us. Our First Duty is to Remember. This Memorial Day (and throughout the year) remind people about the Beirut Bombing, remind them about the lives lost, and remind them that we must never forget.

God Bless and Semper Fi!


Reference
Arizona PBS. (n.d.) The history of Memorial Day. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert/memorial-day/history/

Marine Corps League Detachment named after one of our own.

May 2, 2019

The Sgt. Mecot Camara Detachment came to life December 15, 2018 at noon. Sgt. Camara was killed in the attack on October 23, 1983. The Ceremony took place at the American Legion Post 32, located in Beckley, WV. This was such an honor because new charters are not often given out and this was the first in West Virginia in many years.

Meet your BVA President Myron Kyle

May 2, 2019

The BVA is on the edge of moving forward and letting others know of our Marine Corps legacy with the scholarship fund and side projects that are being done throughout the country from Florida to California. But, in order to make our voices heard we must all step up and be involved, even if only a little bit, by attending services or setting up local memorial services. We can also reach others through our logo on shirts, hats, and stickers. They strike up conversations and then it's time for you to educate those who are not aware of those lives taken from 1982-1984 in Beirut Lebanon from the first embassy attack to the last embassy annex attack, least we forget those Marines involved in Operation Blue Bat in 1958 and the Beirut Air Brigade in the mid 1990's from Fort Benning and the Marines involved in Lebanon in 2006.

A letter from across the pond

May 2, 2019

Another five years pass by & Operation Hyperion Beirut 1983 still seems like yesterday to some of us. Yes, 35 years on from when A & C Squadron landed on those war-torn shores. I was with A Squadron who, took over from C Squadron in July 1983. Since then the worn torn streets & buildings of the Lebanon capital have been repaired many times only to take more damage by conflict. Some memories fading but, others will remain forever.

A Story That Must Be Told

February 23, 2019

Beirut Veterans are honored at park dedication
On February 23, 2019 a group with many Beirut veterans and family members in attendancegathered at a community park in Port Charlotte, FL for a dedication ceremony. The highlight of this groundbreaking ceremony was announcing the future construction of the Beirut Peacekeepers Memorial Tower that will be a central feature of the park. Rising out of the middle will be 241 staggered rods, one for each person killed on October 23, 1983. It will be a place to reflect on, learn about, and enjoy the freedom and sacrifice of others for generations to come.

Memorial Service

November 5, 2018

35th Remembrance
The annual memorial service took place at The Beirut Memorial at 1030 in the morning on the 23rd.  There were 3,000 people in attendance and another 30,000 people watching online. It was one of the best attended memorials.  

This was a special service as we heard from the current Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Neller, and the 29thCommandant, the much loved and well revered General Gray.  If you did not get to attend, you can view the service here



The Formation

November 5, 2018

35th Formation Group Photo

Hundreds gathered on October 22 to participate in the Formation.  It started with the veterans joining together by company.  Family members joined in and it ended with the vets folding the flag that flew over Camp Geiger. 

35 years later...

November 5, 2018

The Wall

35 years ago our worlds were turned upside down.  Things would never be as they once were.  Husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, cousins, and friends were lost. Scars were formed that could never heal. The young men that returned home were not the same men that deployed.  The Beirut Veterans of America Organization is charged with ensuring the world never forgets.  The week of the 23rd we did just that.  

Veterans, Gold Star Families, and friends came together to honor our fallen heroes, to support one another, and to reminisce about the “good ol’ days”.  Through tears and laughter, the already strong bond that holds us together grew even stronger.  

BVA Dinner

November 5, 2018

Dan Joy Founders Award

This year the BVA hosted the 35th Memorial Remembrance Dinner at Goettge Field House on Camp LeJeune. There were 750 tickets sold to the event.  The event started with toasts to families and fallen brothers.  The Founders Award was presented to Dan Joy.  Ed “Doc” Brown was also recognized for the walk that he did to bring awareness to our fallen.  General Al Gray was the keynote speaker.    

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Archives

  • Vol. XXVII Issue I - Jan/Feb 2017 - 33 Year Beirut Remembrance. The Ties that Bind Us. RSII-Jan-Feb-2017.pdf (1.3 MBs)
  • Vol. XXVI Issue I - July/Aug 2016 - 32 Year Beirut Remembrance. Another Successful Remembrance; Looking Ahead to 2016 RSII-July-Aug-2016.pdf (1.5 MBs)
  • Vol. XXII, Issue 1 – August/September 2014 - AugSep2014.pdf (6.9 MBs)