I think this probably belongs in the military section, but indulge me Admins.
I remember this event very well. I was sitting in church when an announcement was made that over two hundred servicemen were killed in Lebanon. This event became a bell weather event for me in my life. Being from North Carolina, I have run the Beirut Memorial 10k twice just outside Camp Davis Johnson near Jacksonville, NC, part of the greater LeJeune Marine Base. There is nothing more moving than hearing Taps being played just before the starting gun.
In researching this, I learned that the servicemen were more than your usual 18 year-olds. They served as volunteers in youth sports, were active in their churches and city life in Jacksonville. To honor them, the City of Jacksonville town council voted to plant 241 trees to honor these men. So, in 2005, I finally got my thoughts together and wrote:
Beirut 241 (Jacksonville Weeps)
From the Paris of the Mediterranean, an urgent request
Seeking multinational peacekeepers, Can you send us your best?
The United Nations mission a Western reaction.
One final attempt to solve Middle Eastern dissatisfaction.
A miracle was needed, a hopeless situation hopeless, it seemed
Though who could serve better than United States Marines?
To save Lebanese Cedars decisive action was taken
To halt clans fighting tribes, their roots of democracy shaken.
Marinites killing Sunnis; reprisals creating factions.
The Eighth Marines were deployed for this peacekeeping action.
By their mere presence, a hope that the bloodshed would cease.
The First Battalion came unarmed, the Marines came in Peace.
In April of ’83 they warned that outsiders would be harmed.
Disregarding the warnings, the order: Our sentries would be unarmed.
Hezbollah’s lone murderer in his bomb-laden truck.
Circumstances coalescing by fate, for the terrorist’s luck.
Three Army, Eighteen Navy, Two hundred Twenty Marines lost.
They all came in peace. They paid the highest cost.
Actions have consequences when politicians blunder.
Lives lost in a flash, a single clap of thunder.
The victims were the men of the Semper Fi Creed.
Their loss a painful lesson,
Would politicians take heed?
As Jacksonville wept, she buried each son.
Vowing to honor their sacrifice.
Of The Beirut Two Forty One.
Two hundred forty-one trees planted along LeJeune Boulevard.
Standing as silent sentries, to eternally stand guard.
Over the city they loved and to her gave much,
Their commitments of time, her youth forever touched,
Just who were these souls she thinks of so often?
Most were just boys, but all were great men.
The Two-Forty-One were more than soldiers, sailors, Marines.
They were husbands, fathers, and civic leaders. To our Town, everything.
These were men who exemplified character, honor and truth.
Coaches, scoutmasters and teachers beloved by Jacksonville’s youth.
Their contributions and gifts for this loss she now weeps.
Great citizens lost forever to the timelessness of perpetual grief.
Only the living remain to lend the dead voice.
To tell of their sacrifice, to honor their choice.
Let this lesson be learned, as it costs us unique men.
Perform the mission the Marine way, or never again.
Even as peacekeepers when Marines can be harmed.
Keep the peace if they must, don’t sent them unarmed.
Actions have consequences when politicians blunder.
Lives lost in a flash, a single clap of thunder.
They were the souls of the Semper Fi Creed.
Their loss a painful lesson,
Would politicians take heed?
Jacksonville kept her vow
after she buried each son.
She honored the sacrifice
Of the Beirut Two Forty One.
