LETTER: Oct 23, 1983, let us never forget their sacrifice

Thirty three years ago today: on Oct. 23, 1983, at 6:22 a.m., a large delivery truck drove to the Beirut International Airport where the Marine Barracks was located. After turning onto an access road leading to the compound, the driver rushed through a barbed-wire fence, passed between two sentry posts, crashed through the gate, and slammed into the lobby of the barracks.

The driver detonated explosives with the power equal to more than 12,000 pounds of TNT. The explosion crumbled the four-story building, crushing service members to death while they were sleeping. The terrorist attack killed 220 Marines and 21 other U.S. service members who were stationed there to help keep the peace in a nation torn by war.

I was a sergeant at the age of 20 when I was assigned to Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion 8th Marines as part of the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit in Beirut Lebanon. 3/8 was relieved of its duties by BLT 1/8 and on Oct. 23, 1983, a terrorist suicide bomber drove a truck into the very building in which I lived in for several months during 1982 and 1983.

It was the bloodiest day in the Marine Corps history since World War II, when Marines fought to secure Iwo Jima. The whole idea of knowing that my fellow brother in arms, my fellow Marines gave their lives for something they truly believed in; our freedom and way of life. I personally knew some of them that were killed that day and went to several memorials in the days following the bombing.

The Marines went to Beirut on a peacekeeping mission, and that their actions should not be forgotten please take a moment on Sunday, Oct. 23, and on Veterans Day and remember this horrific event in history. Freedom is not free. In the background of the photo taken in Feb of 1983 is the building that was destroyed Oct. 23 with the Communications Platoon of 3rd Battalion 8th Marines out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

William Vetter, SgtMaj USMC Ret.

Charles City