The Semper Fi Society in Jacksonville, FL is building a Beirut Memorial In Evergreen Cemetery. Folllow the link for more information.
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.
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.
WHEN: Saturday, May 11, 2019 at 2 PM – 5 PM. ROUTE: Dairy Queen (Hwy (Routes) 3 & 20, Hinton, West Virginia 25951. HOSTED BY: CVMA WV 37-2
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.
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.
The BVA Meeting was held October 22nd at the USO. This year it was a full house. Margaret Pollard informed the membership that the Beirut Memorial Scholarship is up and running. There will be a committee that will meet regularly to set the criteria and amounts for the scholarship. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact Margaret.
Elections were held this year for four board positions as Randy Gaddo was moved to Emeritus Board Member status. The four elected board members are Rick Cunningham, Bill Yontz, Jack McDonald, and David Seelye.
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.
38 Beirut Veteran riders joined in the third annual Strength and honor Bike Run which started at New River Harley Davidson and ended at the Beirut Memorial.
This year’s proceeds when to the Charles Lake Milam Scholarship Fund which totaled over $1260.
Hundreds of Veterans and family members met at the Wall at 0600 on 23 October 2018 to pay tribute to the fallen. The names were read by loved ones and friends and concluded with a moment of silence. Surrounded by the darkness and the glow of the candles loved ones could silently reflect on the sacrifice of their husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, cousins, and friends.
The candlelight service is an annual event that is always well attended. The reading of the names concludes at 0622 which is when the bombing occurred in Beirut, Lebanon.
