We must also recognize the Ultimate Sacrifice made by our eleven Marines, Corpsman and a Soldier recently in Afghanistan: Please keep their loved ones in your thoughts and prayers also. We would also like to thank our Members who personally helped welcome home our Warriors from Afghanistan, and those who helped financially - Thank You!
On 28 Aug 2021, a memorial service was held onboard the USS New Jersey, moored in Camden, NJ, to honor our fallen brothers from Beirut, Lebanon. BM Glenn McCurdy, a former crew member on the USS New Jersey from 1983-1986, worked with Ryan Szimnski, the New Jersey museum's curator to put together the memorial service. Approximately 40 Navy and Marine Veterans and their families attended the service, which took place in the ward room onboard the ship.
Please click the read more to find details regarding membership and upcoming events. Some events, such as Oktoberfest, have been cancelled in Jacksonville due to a spike in Covid there. We will provide updates as we receive them.
There were two scholarships awarded for the 2nd Annual BVA Scholarship in 2021. Both scholarships were named in honor of Beirut Veterans. One was 1st Lt. John Boyett who was killed in the Beirut Bombing, and the other was long term BVA Board Member Bill Yontz. Both recipients had connections to the BVA and each of their stories highlight the importance of the BVA Scholarship. Please take the time to learn more about each recipient and why they were selected.
On July 31, 2021 at Veterans Memorial Park in Tampa, FL, Chip retired from the Hillsborough County Florida Fire Department having served as a Firefighter/Paramedic since leaving the Marine Corps.
The Other Wall -By R.A. Gannon-
It does not stand in Washington
By others of its kind
In prominence and dignity
With mission clear defined.
It does not list the men who died
That tyranny should cease
But speaks in silent eloquence
Of those who came in peace.
This Other Wall is solemn white
And cut in simple lines
And it nestles in the splendor
Of the Carolina pines.
It does not stand in Washington
By others of its kind
In prominence and dignity
With mission clear defined.
It does not list the men who died
That tyranny should cease
But speaks in silent eloquence
Of those who came in peace.
This Other Wall is solemn white
And cut in simple lines
And it nestles in the splendor
Of the Carolina pines.
The BVA is proud to announce its endorsement of the We Came in Peace documentary project. This project is dedicated to the members of the United States military who made the ultimate sacrifice in Lebanon between 1982 and 1984, their Gold Star families and surviving comrades-in-arms, as well as the United States Foreign Service, Multinational Force members, and our Lebanese allies.
1. Postcards are being sent out to Members with whom we've lost contact. If you know someone who's moved, doesn't hear from us, or we haven't had contact with, they can update their information at https://www.beirutveterans.org/membership-update.
2. The USO is doing a Ruck this year, more details will follow shortly.
3. BVA Annual meeting 10/22/2021 at the USO.
4. Please remember to bring your Membership Card to vote for Board Members at the USO on 10/22/2021.
5. Scholarships are in and graded and should be announced shortly on this year's recipients and 2021 2022 will once again be opened November the 10th.
6. Please provide us with all Memorial Info this year so we can Post it online!
7. The Fall Veterans Memorial/Beirut Memorial in Mentor, Ohio will be Saturday 10/2/2021.
2. The USO is doing a Ruck this year, more details will follow shortly.
3. BVA Annual meeting 10/22/2021 at the USO.
4. Please remember to bring your Membership Card to vote for Board Members at the USO on 10/22/2021.
5. Scholarships are in and graded and should be announced shortly on this year's recipients and 2021 2022 will once again be opened November the 10th.
6. Please provide us with all Memorial Info this year so we can Post it online!
7. The Fall Veterans Memorial/Beirut Memorial in Mentor, Ohio will be Saturday 10/2/2021.
On a brisk West Virginia weekend from May 7-8, a group of BVA Veterans, NOK, and friends got together to honor one of our own, Sgt. Mecot Camara.
As we close out the year 2020 and look back to the challenges it brought our nation and the world, it is also a time to reflect on the importance of our BVA mission; The First Duty is to Remember.
Thank you to Dan Joy for sharing this picture at the Beirut Wall on Christmas day. We look forward to preparing for our annual gathering in October of 2021, and the opportunity to once again remember our fallen brothers together.
Thank you to Dan Joy for sharing this picture at the Beirut Wall on Christmas day. We look forward to preparing for our annual gathering in October of 2021, and the opportunity to once again remember our fallen brothers together.