Posted on Jan 8, 2026
Lejeune Memorial Gardens & Freedom Fountain - Only In Onslow
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LeJeune Memorial Gardens and Freedom Fountain
Beirut Memorial
The largest military memorial paid for from private funds, it reflects the devastating loss suffered by the Marines and our community on October 23, 1983. Now viewed as the opening salvo in the War on Terrorism, the memorial honors those who lost their lives. The words “They Came In Peace” reflect how the Marines were assigned as peacekeepers in this dangerous place.
The USS Puget Sound AD-38 (decommissioned) was part of the Sixth Fleet Multinational Peacekeeping Force 1983. I was stationed on board USS Puget Sound when she was fired upon five miles off the beach of Beirut. I was young and scared and ready to come home. Forty-three years later, I am alive and can look back and feel proud to be a part of this history.
Beirut Memorial
The largest military memorial paid for from private funds, it reflects the devastating loss suffered by the Marines and our community on October 23, 1983. Now viewed as the opening salvo in the War on Terrorism, the memorial honors those who lost their lives. The words “They Came In Peace” reflect how the Marines were assigned as peacekeepers in this dangerous place.
The USS Puget Sound AD-38 (decommissioned) was part of the Sixth Fleet Multinational Peacekeeping Force 1983. I was stationed on board USS Puget Sound when she was fired upon five miles off the beach of Beirut. I was young and scared and ready to come home. Forty-three years later, I am alive and can look back and feel proud to be a part of this history.
Lejeune Memorial Gardens & Freedom Fountain - Only In Onslow
Posted from onlyinonslow.com
Beirut
SO-Navy Diver: Navy Diver
DAV
PO3
Posted 13 d ago
Responses: 3
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Not responding to this attack was Reagan's biggest mistake during his first term.
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PO3 Phyllis Maynard
LTC Trent Klug I remember all of the political heat around the issue. When I graduated boot camp and Overseas Homeport School, my little country naive behind was sent to Italy. My ship was ordered to recover the remains. Congress gave permission for the float because they procured a seize fire from Lebanon. We were not an armed vessel but a replenishment vessel. We were flying several flags - US, 6th Fleet, Medical, White, Peacekeeper - they fired on us anyway.
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I am both Proud of you and Proud for you Sister Phyllis. And like Brother Doug said, Thank You for Your Service. I know what you did and I was reminded of something I saw one time that stated, "Courage is not the absence of Fear, but Mastery over it". That's pretty cool to have a place to go that Honors something you were a part of. I visit the traveling Viet Nam Wall whenever it comes into town, plus we have our own Viet Nam Memorial downtown.
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PO3 Phyllis Maynard
PO3 Edward Riddle thank you sir, for acknowledging me. But not just me, the segment of Navy personnel that have become honored participants of the campaign. I have said in so many posts in so many ways, "to experience a thing brings about understanding and empathy when you see it in a different form, through different people". This part is the faith in what GOD's Word promises.
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