thedrifter
10-20-08, 08:54 AM
'Never forget our fallen'
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October 20, 2008 - 1:13AM
MOLLY K. DEWITT
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Motorcyclists from several clubs across North Carolina and Virginia came together Sunday to remember the bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon 25 years ago.
The N.C. chapter of the Armed Forces Motorcycle Club holds an annual Beirut Memorial Run where they and other club members such as the Rough Riders and Leathernecks ride from the Armed Forces Motorcycle Club clubhouse on N.C. 53 to the Beirut Memorial for a wreath laying ceremony. They've been holding the ceremony for several years.
"We don't care who sees it, we don't care what it means to anyone besides us," said Staff Sgt. Keith Windsor, president of the N.C. chapter of the Armed Forces Motorcycle Club as he addressed the group.
Although 2008 is the 25th anniversary of the bombing, Windsor said it is important to remember every year and "not just the big numbers."
"It's one of the events that this chapter takes pride in doing. It's something that we feel gets forgotten so we want to remember it," said Windsor.
For retired Staff Sgt. Thomas Foresman, vice president of the N.C. chapter of the Armed Forces Motorcycle Club, the bombing was very personal.
The names of three Marines Foresman went to boot camp with are listed on the memorial. He said one day he heard that his friends were being sent to Beirut and the next thing he knew they were part of the memorial.
"In boot camp you go through a lot of trials and tribulations breaking into the military life ... so you get tight and become somewhat of brothers," he said.
Holding the event every year is important for several reasons, Foresman said.
"No. 1, to never forget our fallen comrades. Two, never forget who (did) this and three, to pay our respects and to ask God to give us strength throughout the year," he said.
George W. Clark, HM1 Navy retired and member of the Armed Forces Motorcycle Club, said he makes it a point to visit the memorial every year and hasn't missed a year since his retirement in 1996.
"It's very important because this was the first salvo really on the war on terror we're fighting now ... we knew from that point on things had changed ... it touched us personally," he said. "For those of us at the time it was as life changing as 9/11 would be later."
The service members who lost their lives serve as an example to those serving today, said Sgt. Corey Snyder, member of the Leathernecks Motorcycle Club.
"I think it's extremely important to show our allegiance and thanks to the guys that fell," he said. "They ... set an example for a lot of us coming up in the Marine Corps now so I think it's important for us to come out here and show thanks."
Contact Jacksonville/Onslow government reporter Molly DeWitt at 910-219-8455 or mdewitt@freedomenc.com.
http://portal.jdnews.com/beirutmemorial/
Ellie
Comments | Recommend
October 20, 2008 - 1:13AM
MOLLY K. DEWITT
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Motorcyclists from several clubs across North Carolina and Virginia came together Sunday to remember the bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon 25 years ago.
The N.C. chapter of the Armed Forces Motorcycle Club holds an annual Beirut Memorial Run where they and other club members such as the Rough Riders and Leathernecks ride from the Armed Forces Motorcycle Club clubhouse on N.C. 53 to the Beirut Memorial for a wreath laying ceremony. They've been holding the ceremony for several years.
"We don't care who sees it, we don't care what it means to anyone besides us," said Staff Sgt. Keith Windsor, president of the N.C. chapter of the Armed Forces Motorcycle Club as he addressed the group.
Although 2008 is the 25th anniversary of the bombing, Windsor said it is important to remember every year and "not just the big numbers."
"It's one of the events that this chapter takes pride in doing. It's something that we feel gets forgotten so we want to remember it," said Windsor.
For retired Staff Sgt. Thomas Foresman, vice president of the N.C. chapter of the Armed Forces Motorcycle Club, the bombing was very personal.
The names of three Marines Foresman went to boot camp with are listed on the memorial. He said one day he heard that his friends were being sent to Beirut and the next thing he knew they were part of the memorial.
"In boot camp you go through a lot of trials and tribulations breaking into the military life ... so you get tight and become somewhat of brothers," he said.
Holding the event every year is important for several reasons, Foresman said.
"No. 1, to never forget our fallen comrades. Two, never forget who (did) this and three, to pay our respects and to ask God to give us strength throughout the year," he said.
George W. Clark, HM1 Navy retired and member of the Armed Forces Motorcycle Club, said he makes it a point to visit the memorial every year and hasn't missed a year since his retirement in 1996.
"It's very important because this was the first salvo really on the war on terror we're fighting now ... we knew from that point on things had changed ... it touched us personally," he said. "For those of us at the time it was as life changing as 9/11 would be later."
The service members who lost their lives serve as an example to those serving today, said Sgt. Corey Snyder, member of the Leathernecks Motorcycle Club.
"I think it's extremely important to show our allegiance and thanks to the guys that fell," he said. "They ... set an example for a lot of us coming up in the Marine Corps now so I think it's important for us to come out here and show thanks."
Contact Jacksonville/Onslow government reporter Molly DeWitt at 910-219-8455 or mdewitt@freedomenc.com.
http://portal.jdnews.com/beirutmemorial/
Ellie