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They Came in Peace
1983 Beirut Barracks Bombing Remembered
Naval Support Activity Agnano, NAPLES, ITALY (October 23, 1983) — It was afternoon when we learned of the Beirut bombing. I can’t remember if I had gone into the commissary, while Bill and Jerry went to the exchange, or vice versa. Now, back at the car, we stood staring at each other with wide, open eyes — the same shock. We had each heard individually and ran back to the car to share the news.
Stunned and sitting in silence, Bill suddenly gunned the engine and pulled out of the parking lot. He lurched to the left instead of turning right for the beltway that led back to the highway and home.
“Where are we going?” I asked Bill from the backseat.
“To the hospital, maybe they need blood.”
We nodded in agreement, and Bill eased up behind a van. Looking ahead, we saw a lengthy line of cars snaking up the hill leading to the Navy Hospital. In the fading light of sunset, the fine mist became a steady shower, and the worn-out wipers finally stopped squeaking.
Jerry, in the front seat, was mumbling “Why the Marines?” He twisted the tuning knob on the radio furiously, looking for any news in English.
The attack
