PDA

View Full Version : Beirut survivor keeps in touch



thedrifter
10-10-03, 06:31 AM
Beirut survivor keeps in touch
October 09,2003
ERIC STEINKOPFF
DAILY NEWS STAFF

Two decades ago, John Nash was a 19-year-old Marine Corps corporal who specialized in processing messages. One of his jobs was keeping the communication center open for the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit stationed at the Beirut International Airport terminal.

These days, Master Sgt. John Nash is still at the hub of a large communications network. This one stretches out to veterans who survived the terrorist bombing that claimed the lives of 241 Marines and other service members on Oct. 23, 1983.

Nash, of Pontiac, Mich., said staying in touch with those who were there that day hasn't always been easy. But the 20th anniversary observances set for Oct. 22 and 23 in Jacksonville, have drawn the attention of survivors, many of whom have never seen the Beirut Memorial off N.C. 24.

"Over the past 20 years I've only had contact with two Marines who survived and I almost gave up," said Nash, who is with the 2nd Service Support Group. "Everyone's looking for each other now. Most have never seen the wall and they seemed to be holding back for this year."

But this year, at least 40 people or more have contacted Nash, mostly via e-mail and that has given him hope for healing.

"Some guys that would call me - most even - said that they were waiting for the 20th year because they were afraid of getting too emotional," Nash said. "A lot of them have said that they don't even know if they can walk up to the wall."

Nash and area veterans expect the largest gathering to date for the 20th anniversary. The event has been held annually since the memorial was put in place at the entrance to Camp Johnson.

Nash said many families and friends of the victims have been waiting for the pain of their loss to subside before attending the ceremony.

"This year will be ten-fold bigger," Nash said.

Nash was a communications specialist in Beirut the day the Marine barracks was bombed by terrorists. The 24th Marine Amphibious Unit included a reinforced version of the 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment from April to December 1983. They were there on a peacekeeping mission.

He was lying in his cot early Sunday morning, Oct. 23, 1983, trying to decide whether to get dressed and head down to the basement of the four-story airport terminal for the one hot meal he was allowed each week or down another Meal, Ready-to-Eat.

At about 6:22 a.m. the blast from a terrorist truck-bomb filled the air and decimated the MAU. It left a small crew to treat the wounded, gather bodies and protect themselves. It was nearly a month before their relief could arrive. The 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment with the 22nd MAU had been detoured to Grenada.

Nash is never far from his Beirut memories. When duties permit, he often gives classes on the Beirut tragedy to various officer, staff non-commissioned officer and noncommissioned officer professional classes as kind of a first-hand historian.

Nash has been to numerous Beirut memorial services over the years, and he remembers the hardest part was talking to the families.

"Grandmothers and mothers show you photographs and you want to tell them something positive," Nash said.

But the truth is that there were about 2,000 Marines and sailors with the Camp Lejeune-based 24th MAU and it was impossible to know everyone

Nash said that many of his high-ranking friends are planning to attend this year's event out of respect, even if they weren't there at the bombing.

"We went there as peacekeepers and came back as victims," Nash said. "It was hard to tell who was who in the mixed religious war fighting over different parts of Lebanon. It was the first real start of the Global War on Terrorism."

Events for the observance start on Oct. 22. The USO on Tallman Street is planning a reception from 1 to 9 p.m. to welcome Beirut survivors and families and there will be a small 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment reunion for the 20th anniversary of the Grenada invasion 6 p.m. at Sywanyk's Scarlet and Gold.

Organizers are planning a solemn and private candlelight sunrise vigil 6 a.m. Oct. 23 at the Beirut Memorial with a public ceremony at 10:30 a.m. There is also an 8th Marine Regiment remembrance ceremony near the Beirut marker at monument circle on Camp Geiger at 2 p.m. Oct. 23 and a Beirut Veterans of America Banquet for $30 at 6:30 p.m. that evening at the New River Officers' Club.

Nash recommends people visit the Beirut Veterans of America Web site that lists names, e-mail address and telephone numbers of those who keep in touch.

For more information visit the BVA Web site at www.beirutveterans.com or call the JacksonvilleeUSO at (910) 455-3411, Sywanyk's at (910) 347-1107, New River Officers' Club (910) 449-6409 or Camp Lejeune public affairs at (910) 451-5655.


Contact Eric Steinkopff at esteinkopff@jdnews.com or 353-1171, Ext. 236.

http://www.jdnews.com/Photo/100903_nash2.jpg
Randy Davey/Daily News
Proud possessions: Master Sgt. John Nash poses by a banner signed by Marines he served with in Lebanon in 1983. He holds an American flag presented to him last year by a group that he addressed with comments about his time in Beirut.




http://www.jacksonvilledailynews.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Template=Details.cfm&StoryID=16754&Section=News

Sempers,

Roger
:marine: