Beirut Veterans Proclamation

Floor Speech

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Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, the United States of America has always been a symbol of peace and freedom and has achieved this stature throughout the world because of the selfless service of our veterans. From those who fought in the Revolutionary War to those serving in harm's way now, our country's armed forces have given up the comforts of home, the company of loved ones, and--for some--even their own lives to secure the blessings of liberty for many in our world.

Today, we honor those who served our country as peacekeepers in Lebanon between 1982 and 1984, with courage, honor and valor.

It has been just over 40 years, on October 23, 1983, since the deadly bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, where 241 United States Marines, Navy and Army personnel lost their lives to a deadly terrorist bomb. Many consider that horrific episode to be the beginning of America's war on terror and set the precedent for how our country's military approaches conflict in the Middle East. Almost three dozen more lost their lives as part of this mission.

We will always remember them.

This terrorist attack took the most lives of U.S. military servicemen since the Tet offensive in the Vietnam War and more lives of United States Marines since the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.

This act has now faded into the obscurity of textbooks, university lectures and most Americans' memories. The Beirut Veterans of America have a motto: ``The First Duty is to Remember,'' to memorialize those brothers who lost their lives and the families who have endured the last 40 years of sacrifice, separation, anguish and loneliness to keep our world free from the tyranny of bullies, thugs and terrorists.

These men ``Came in Peace'' and gave the ultimate price of freedom: their lives.

Be it proclaimed that this past October 23 and each one to come is dedicated to honoring and recognizing the memory of these souls who shall never be forgotten.

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