Marine Lt. Gen. Robert Neller and Sgt. Maj. Lawrence Fineran, leaders of Marine Corps Forces Central Command, render salutes during the wreath-laying ceremony at the U.S. Central Command Memorial in recognition of the 30th anniversary of the bombings at Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1983. (USCENTCOM photo by Sgt. Fredrick J. Coleman, USMC)
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Marines from U.S. Central Command and Marine Corps Forces Central Command conducted a commemoration at the U.S. Central Command Memorial Oct. 23, marking the 30th anniversary of the bombing on the Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1983.
More than 241 Marines, Soldiers and Sailors lost their lives during the attack. The attack also claimed the lives of 58 French paratroopers working with U.S. forces on peacekeeping missions.
The event concluded with a wreath-laying ceremony conducted by the MARCENT Commander, Lt. Gen. Robert Neller, and MARCENT Senior Enlisted Advisor, Sgt. Maj. Lawrence Fineran, in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the attack and the families affected by the bombing.
“This was a very nice way to remember the ones who lost their lives in 1983,” said Morgan Gonzalez, who lost her father in the bombing. “It’s very comforting to know that the sacrifices those men made will never be forgotten.”
Before the wreath-laying ceremony, Neller addressed the crowd, which included survivors and families of victims of the attack.
“It’s important for everyone who wears or has worn the uniform of our country to remember the sacrifices of those who have come before us,” said Neller.