press releases 2008
“THEY CAME IN PEACE”
April 18, 2008
Today marks the 25th anniversary of the April 18, 1983, bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Michele J. Sison presided over a ceremony, held at the U.S. Embassy in Awkar, to commemorate the anniversary. Chargé Sison welcomed survivors who continue to work with the Embassy, former employees and family members of the victims who came to the event and said “I am truly humbled by your dedication, and I know that all of the American staff here join me in feeling proud to be working with you.”
Also speaking at the ceremony was Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs, C. David Welch, who was the Lebanon desk officer at the Department of State when the bombing occurred. He recalled his horror and sadness when he received the call about the terrorist bombing and said “Together, American and Lebanese staff members did the work that needed to be done. They pulled their colleagues from the destruction. They tended to the wounded.”
The U.S. Embassy American and Lebanese staff members and guests mourned the loss of colleagues and friends while remembering that each of them had worked for the strong and enduring relationship between Lebanon and the United States.
The commemoration ceremony took place adjacent to the granite memorial erected on the Embassy grounds to honor all those who have died while serving the United States in Lebanon. The memorial lists the names of the fifty-two Lebanese and Americans who died on April 18, 1983, the nine who died when the Embassy annex was bombed in 1984, the 241 names of U.S. servicemen who were killed when the U.S. Marine Corps Barracks was bombed October 23, 1983, as well as the names of those who were killed in other attacks. Above the names is the simple inscription: “They Came In Peace.” The memorial stands as an enduring reminder of the sacrifices made by many who believed in the strength of Lebanon’s relationship with the United States.
At Chargé Sison’s request, participants observed a moment of silence in honor of those who died working for a secure, sovereign, democratic, united, and prosperous Lebanon.
A committee of Lebanese and American employees of the Embassy planned the ceremony which included a U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard, music by the Notre Dame University choir under the direction of Father Khalil Rahme, and the planting of a cedar tree near the memorial. The Embassy also gave a pin to guests and a special coin to the survivors and the families of those who perished. Children of Lebanese employees of the U.S. Embassy designed a commemorative poster.
Read Chargé Sison's remarks.
