ALMAR 043/08
R 151520Z OCT 08
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC CSG//
SUBJ/25TH OBSERVATION OF BEIRUT BOMBING//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  A QUARTER CENTURY AGO IN BEIRUT, LEBANON, A
SUICIDE DRIVER DROVE HIS EXPLOSIVE-LADEN TRUCK INTO THE MARINE
BARRACKS OF BATTALION LANDING TEAM 1/8.  THE EXPLOSION KILLED 241
MARINES AND CORPSMEN AND STRUCK THE FIRST BLOW AGAINST AMERICAN
FORCES IN THIS LONG WAR ON TERRORISM.
2.  IN COMMEMORATION OF THE MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY IN 1983, PRESIDENT
REAGAN WROTE TO THE 24TH MAU, "ALL AMERICANS ARE DEEPLY IN YOUR
DEBT.  EVEN AS WE GRIEVE FOR YOUR SACRIFICE, WE TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR
EXCELLENCE AS MARINES."
3.  TWENTY-FIVE YEARS LATER, THOSE WORDS ARE AS RELEVANT AS THEY
WERE IN THE WAKE OF THE TERRORIST ATTACK.  THE MARINE CORPS REMAINS
ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN COMBAT OPERATIONS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN.  THE
PERFORMANCE OF OUR MARINES HAS BEEN MAGNIFICENT; THEIR DETERMINATION
AND COMMITMENT TO WIN THIS LONG WAR HAS BEEN UNWAVERING.
4.  THE MARINES AND SAILORS IN BEIRUT ACCEPTED A WAY OF LIFE THAT
EMBODIED SELFLESS SERVICE.  MANY OF THEM PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE FOR
THE DANGEROUS AND NECESSARY WORK OF FIGHTING OUR NATION'S ENEMIES.
FOR THOSE OF US WHO CARRY ON THEIR LEGACY, IT IS OUR OBLIGATION TO
PAUSE IN REMEMBRANCE AND TO HONOR THOSE WHO FELL IN DEFENSE OF OUR
NATION THAT SUNDAY AFTERNOON OF 23 OCTOBER 1983.
5.  SEMPER FIDELIS, JAMES T. CONWAY, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS,
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.