In a tribute to the Canadian peacekeepers who lost their lives in the 1983 bombing of the Marine Barracks in Beirut, a groundbreaking ceremony has taken place for a new memorial in Charlotte County. The memorial will honor the ultimate sacrifice made by the 241 Canadian soldiers who lost their lives while serving under the United Nations in Lebanon. The new memorial will provide a solemn place of reflection for those who wish to honor the memory of these brave individuals.
Charlotte County Beirut Peacekeepers Memorial Groundbreaking: Honoring Those Who Served
On Friday, September 17th, 2021, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in Punta Gorda, Florida for the Charlotte County Beirut Peacekeepers Memorial. The memorial will honor the 241 American service members who were killed in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, including nine who were from southwest Florida.
The event was attended by local officials, veterans, and members of the community, who gathered to pay tribute to the fallen heroes and show their support for the project. The groundbreaking marked the beginning of the construction phase of the memorial, which is expected to be completed in early 2022.
Here are the details of the ceremony and what the memorial aims to achieve:
The ceremony
The groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site of the future memorial, which is located at Laishley Park in Punta Gorda. The event began with the presentation of colors by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Punta Gorda Mayor Lynne Matthews.
Several dignitaries spoke at the event, including Charlotte County Commissioner Joe Tiseo, who thanked everyone for their support and said that the monument would be a fitting tribute to the service members who gave their lives in Beirut.
The keynote speaker was retired Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Richard Carey, who served in Lebanon in 1983 and personally knew some of the victims of the bombing. He expressed his gratitude for the memorial and said that it would serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have served their country.
The memorial
The Charlotte County Beirut Peacekeepers Memorial will consist of a granite monument surrounded by a landscaped area that includes benches and a walkway. The monument will feature the names of the 241 service members who were killed in the bombing and will be engraved with the words “We Remember.”
The design of the monument was created by local artist Douglas Muller, who donated his time and expertise to the project. Muller said that he was honored to be part of the project and hoped that the memorial would serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the service members.
The purpose
The Charlotte County Beirut Peacekeepers Memorial has several purposes. First and foremost, it is meant to honor the 241 service members who were killed in the Beirut bombing, including the nine who were from southwest Florida. The memorial will ensure that their sacrifice is never forgotten and that their memory lives on.
Second, the memorial will serve as a symbol of support for all the men and women who have served their country. It will remind us of the bravery, sacrifice, and dedication of those who put their lives on the line to defend our freedom.
Finally, the memorial will be a place of reflection and contemplation. It will provide visitors with a peaceful setting in which to remember those who have served and to reflect on the importance of their sacrifice.
Conclusion
The Charlotte County Beirut Peacekeepers Memorial is a worthy tribute to the service members who were killed in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut. It will serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have served their country and will honor their memory for generations to come.
The groundbreaking ceremony was a moving and emotional event, and it was heartening to see so many members of the community come out to show their support. The construction of the memorial will now begin in earnest, and we look forward to its completion early next year.
To quote the inscription on the memorial: “We Remember.” And we always will.
