Comments for 25 years later, the memories linger.

25 years later, the memories linger.

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 08:46:35 -0600

25 years ago today - arguably the first mass casualty event in the Long War was the suicide bombing that killed and wounded the Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers at the Marine Barracks in Beirut. VA Employee Haunted By Aftermath Of Beirut Barracks Bombing. The Denver Post (10/20, Pankratz) profiled Bonnie Tierney, who served as the mass casualty officer in charge of identifying US servicemembers killed on Oct. 23, 1983, at the Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. Today, Tierney, who works as the facilities-management administration officer for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Denver, "has post-traumatic stress disorder and takes anti-psychotic medication to battle suicidal urges." Tierney says she held her feelings in "for 20 years," and "I found myself going towards Pikes Peak with my little Honda where I was going to commit suicide. I don't mind people knowing that, and I don't mind people knowing that I'm on medication." The Post added, "On Thursday, there will be an elaborate ceremony at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N.C., honoring the men killed in the Beirut barracks. Tierney has been invited," but "she said she probably won't go. It would be too hard for her." Beirut. Abbott, Terry W Alexander, Clemon S Allman, John R Arnold, Moses J Jr Bailey, Charles K Baker, Nicholas Banks, Johansen Barrett, Richard E Bates, Ronny K Battle, David L Baynard, James R Beamon, Jesse W Belmer, Alvin Bland, Stephen Blankenship, Richard L Blocker, John W Boccia, Joseph J Jr Bohannon, Leon Jr Bohnet, John R Jr Bonk, John J Jr Boulos, Jeffrey L Bousum, David R Boyett, John N Brown, Anthony Brown, David W Buchanan, Bobby S Jr Buckmaster, John B Burley, William F Cain, Jimmy R Callahan, Paul L Camara, Mecot E Campus, Bradley J Ceasar, Johnnie D Cole, Marc L Coleman, Marcus A Comas, Juan M Conley, Robert A Cook, Charles D Cooper, Curtis J Copeland, Johnny L Corcoran, Bert D Cosner, David L Coulman, Kevin P Croft, Brett A Crudale, Rick R Custard, Kevin P Cyzick, Russell E Davis, Andrew L Decker, Sidney James Devlin, Michael J Dibenedetto, Thomas A Dorsey, Nathaniel G Douglass, Frederick B Dunnigan, Timothy J Earle, Bryan L Edwards, Roy L Elliot, William D Jr Ellison, Jesse Estes, Danny R Estler, Sean F Faulk, James E Fluegel, Richard A Forrester, Steven M Foster, William B Jr Fulcher, Michael D Fuller, Benjamin E Fulton, Michael S Gaines, William Jr Gallagher, Sean R Gander, David B Gangur, George M Gann, Leland E Garcia, Randall J Garcia, Ronald J Gay, David D Ghumm, Harold D Gibbs, Warner Jr Giblin, Timothy R Gorchinski, Michael W Gordon, Richard J Gratton, Harold F Greaser, Robert B Green, Davin M Hairston, Thomas A Haltiwanger, Freddie Jr Hamilton, Virgil D Hanton, Gilbert Hart, William Haskell, Michael S Hastings, Michael A Hein, Paul A Held, Douglas E Helms, Mark A Henderson, Ferrandy D Hernandez, Matilde Jr Hester, Stanley G Hildreth, Donald W Holberton, Richard H Holland, Robert S Hollingshead, Bruce A Holmes, Melvin D Howard, Bruce L Hudson, John R Hudson, Terry L Hue, Lyndon J Hukill, Maurice E Iacovino, Edward F Jr Ingalls, John J Innocenzi, Paul G III Jackowski, James J James, Jeffrey W Jenkins, Nathaniel W Johnson, Michael H Johnston, Edward A Jones, Steven Julian, Thomas A Kees, Marion E Keown, Thomas C Kimm, Edward E Kingsley, Walter V Kluck, Daniel S Knipple, James C Kreischer, Freas H III Laise, Keith J Lamb, Thomas G Langon, James J IV Lariviere, Michael S Lariviere, Steven B Lemnah, Richard L Lewis, David A Lewis, Val S Livingston, Joseph R Lyon, Paul D Jr Macroglou, John W Maitland, Samuel Martin, Charlie R Martin, Jack L Massa, David S Massman, Michael R Mattacchione, Joseph J McCall, John McDonough, James E McMahon, Timothy R McNeely, Timothy D McVicker, George N II Melendez, Louis Menkins, Richard H II Mercer, Michael D Meurer, Ronald W Milano, Joseph P Moore, Joseph P Morrow, Richard A Muffler, John F Munoz, Alex Myers, Harry D Nairn, David J Nava, Luis A Olson, John A Olson, Robert P Ortiz, Richard C Owen, Jeffrey B Owens, Joseph A Page, Connie Ray Parker, Ulysses Payne, Mark W Pearson, John L Perron, Thomas S Phillips, John A Jr Piercy, George W Plymel, Clyde W Pollard, William H Pomalestorres, Rafael I Prevatt, Victor M Price, James C Prindeville, Patrick K Pulliam, Eric A Quirante, Diomedes J Randolph, David M Ray, Charles R Relvas, Rui A Rich, Terrence L Richardson, Warren Rodriguez, Juan C Rotondo, Louis J Sanpedro, Guillermo Jr Sauls, Michael C Schnorf, Charles J Schultz, Scott L Scialabba, Peter J Scott, Gary R Shallo, Ronald L Shipp, Thomas A Shropshire, Jerryl D Silvia, James F Sliwinski, Stanley J Smith, Kirk H Smith, Thomas G Smith, Vincent L Soares, Edward Sommerhof, William S Spaulding, Michael C Spearing, John W Spencer, Stephen E Stelpflug, Bill J Stephens, Horace R Stockton, Craig S Stokes, Jeffrey G Stowe, Thomas D Sturghill, Eric D Sundar, Devon L Surch, James F Jr Thompson, Dennis A Thorstad, Thomas P Tingley, Stephen D Tishmack, John J Trahan, Lex D Vallone, Donald H Jr Walker, Eric R Walker, Leonard W Washington, Eric G Weekes, Obrian Wells, Tandy W Wentworth, Steven B Wesley, Allen D West, Lloyd D Weyl, John R Wherland, Burton D Jr Wigglesworth, Dwayne W Williams, Rodney J Williams, Scipio Jr Williamson, Johnny A Wint, Walter E Jr Winter, William E Wolfe, John E Woollett, Donald E Worley, David E Wyche, Craig L Yarber, James G Young, Jeffrey D Zimmerman, William A USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USN USMC USMC USN USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USN USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USA USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USN USMC USN USMC USMC USMC USN USMC USMC USN USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USN USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USN USMC USMC USMC USN USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USN USMC USMC USMC USN USMC USMC USMC USA USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USN USMC USMC USMC USMC USN USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USN USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USN USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USN USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USMC USN USMC USA USMC USMC CPL LCPL PFC CPL PFC LCPL LCPL LCPL HM1 1stSGT LCPL HN GYSGT PFC SGT LCPL CAPT CPL SSGT CPL LCPL CPL 1stLT CPL LCPL LCPL CPL PFC HN CPL SGT PFC LCPL PFC SP4 PFC SGT CPL LCPL LCPL CPL LCPL SGT LCPL LCPL LCPL LCPL MAJ PFC PFC LCPL PVT SGTMAJ CPL HN MSGT HM3 LCPL PFC PFC HM3 PFC CPL HM3 CPL LCPL LCPL CPL LCPL LCPL LCPL SSGT LCPL SSGT LCPL SSGT LCPL CPL ETC LCPL LCPL SGT LCPL LCPL SGT LCPL SGT LCPL CAPT PFC CAPT LCPL PFC LCPL MSGT CPL GYSGT SSGT HM3 LCPL PFC CPL LT CPL LCPL 2ndLT LCPL PFC WO1 LCPL LCPL LCPL HM2 CPL LCPL PFC HM2 SGT GYSGT LCPL SGT LCPL LCPL LCPL LCPL LCPL SGT CPL MSGT CPL SGT CPL LCPL MAJ CPL SSGT PFC CPL SGT PVT LCPL SGT LCPL LCPL HM2 PFC SGT CPL LCPL HM3 CPL LCPL LCPL CPL CPL 1stLT LCPL CPL PFC CWO3 PFC CPL CPL LCPL LCPL GYSGT PFC SGT HMC 1stLT SGT SGT CPL PFC SSGT PFC HM3 LCPL GYSGT PFC PFC LCPL SGT LCPL LCPL LCPL 1stLT PFC CAPT CPL CPL CPL LCPL LCPL LCPL LCPL SSGT CAPT LCPL 1stLT LCPL LCPL LCPL LCPL LCPL PFC LCPL LCPL LCPL LCPL LT CPL SSGT PFC LCPL PVT PFC CPL CPL CPL CPL 1stSGT LCPL SGT GYSGT SSGT CPL LCPL LCPL GYSGT LCPL CAPT CAPT CPL 1stLT HM3 PFC SFC SGT 1stLT I would be remiss to forget to mention that 58 French soldiers died that day, too. Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam. Photo by Ron Williams.

Comment from Steven on 2008-10-25

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 15:39:22 -0600

THANK YOU FOR REMEMBERING 25 YEARS AGO. I DIDN'T SEE AN ARTICLE IN ANY NEWSPAPER ABOUT OUR FIRST 9/11.

I AM A CONSERVATIVE WHO VOTED FOR REAGAN. BUT I WILL NEVER FORGIVE HIM, WEINBERGER, AND ALL THE "INTELLIGENCE" PEOPLE, BECAUSE THE US CUT AND RAN. WE SHOULD HAVE NUKED SYRIA AND IRAN ON 11/24/83. BUT THE BA'ATHIST REGIME OF SYRIA IS WELCOMED BY BUSH AND RICE.

GOD SAVE US.

Comment from The Armorer on 2008-10-23

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:53:20 -0600

You're welcome, Bonnie. I hoped that if we didn't help, we at least didn't hurt.

Comment from Chris Bernsen on 2008-10-23

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:48:17 -0600

Not forgotten. Thank you.

Comment from Bonnie Tierney on 2008-10-23

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 19:20:51 -0600

Thank you for remembering today -- the 25th Anniversary of the Beirut Bombing. I couldn't go to the rememberance ceremony today but I wrote a poem for my comrades! To My Comrades You are not alone today You stand tall and with your family by your side Memories of your past will live on forever In the hearts and souls of so many Your names are each etched on the wall And through time many have come to understand The how, who, what where and when The senselessness of the attack on the barracks that took each of you from us Today though, I remember with a Heart of Love I remember not the darkness but the love That each of your families and loved ones send my way For on this day I have surrendered My pain, my tears and all that I remember I will learn to walk in the light With you by side giving me strength To know that today I too have given my all Light a candle for me my friends Hold me by your side In your hearts and souls I will now forever reside With a Heart of Love Written for the 241 soldiers Who are no longer just names on a wall Bonnie Tierney October 23, 2008 Author and Veteran Locked In Time - I Still Remember and Always Will

Comment from exhelodrvr on 2008-10-23

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:48:41 -0600

Went to college with Dave Nairn - a good man, as were all of them.

Comment from TmjUtah on 2008-10-23

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:36:15 -0600

I'm too ignorant to get trackbacks to work, but I am linking you.

For my murdered brothers. My war began on that day.

Semper Fi.

Comment from Karla (threadbndr) on 2008-10-23

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:23:46 -0600

I've said a prayer once or twice at the memorial just off the Camp Johnson gate. I try to stop by and pay respects every time I go out to see JC.

Remembering my son's brothers of another mother...... Rest easy, you are not forgotten.

Comment from Richard Aubrey on 2008-10-23

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:04:04 -0600

Good men. Good men all.

Comment from B Fredenburg on 2008-10-23

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:09:06 -0600

Thanks for the reminder. I knew USMC CPL Alex Munoz. He graduated Bloomfield, NM high school two years ahead of me. God bless them all.

Comment from R Jewell on 2008-10-23

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:19:47 -0600

Excellent.......and thanks for linking to the French connection. Honestly, I had forgotten about them.

I could have done without it having been turned political though.......but that's just me, I guess.

Comment from Aw1 Tim on 2008-10-23

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:01:51 -0600

Damn...

I remember that day. I was on active duty in the ASWOC when all the phones and teletypes went off. Lots of latent hostility that day from guys too far back to do anything except pray and donate blood.

Respects,

Comment from V5 on 2008-10-23

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:56:47 -0600

A toast to "Absent Companions."

Comment from Maggie on 2008-10-23

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:37:11 -0600

Great post. You never disappoint.

Comment from CPL Patrick Ahern 7th Mar TOW Plt on 2008-10-23

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:29:09 -0600

"No greater love...." They were heroes all and will always be remembered by their brothers. Semper Fi and God bless. Go easy bro's.
-Mongo

Comment from Katherine Optima Maximae on 2008-10-23

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:46:19 -0600

God bless them. Some of the first casualties in the long war.