Story of Beruit
Hey Sgt. Grit
I wanted to send you this picture. My mom saved it for me and I have never shared it with anyone until this year. I showed it to my daughter (29) and son (33) was trying to show them or explain to them what those of us in the military face. I got tears from them and the best d*mn hug I ever had. Maybe just maybe some do get it at least my daughter and son did. The real heroes of Beirut were those who never came home. GySgt. Dennis West, 1st Sgt Tandy Wells, Captain Mike Hatcher were all close friends. Wells and Hatcher were hats with me on first tour at PI 69-73. Dennis was the closest thing my kids had as a godfather and served at OCS with me 76-80. I have never been able to go to the memorial or for that matter the memorial in DC for Vietnam. Just can’t hold those emotions like I use to. Anyway working as IC in Iraq now for past two years seen the “New Breed” of Marines and it makes me proud to know the torch is being carried so high by so many harden warriors. The only story I can think of about that time is how d*mn proud I am to have been a member (1st Sgt MSSG-24) of that MEU. There was and never will be a better commander that LtCol Tim Gerrity and Sgt Maj. Dudly. They were the best of the best and because of the politics at the time Col Gerrity paid the price. We were put into those bombed out buildings not at his call but higher up yet when the finger pointing began it fell to him. I will not mention the names of those who did this deed, but the almighty will reckon with those on their final day I am sure. The Marines of MEU 24 and BLT 1st Bn 8th Marines were and will always be the finest bunch of Marines I ever served with and to those still living as well as the fallen hold a special place in my memories and heart. God Bless them all.
Ken Bell
1st Sgt. USMC Ret. 1965-1985
I was in A Co. 1/8 from the fall of ’79 to about the fall of ’82. I did two Med cruises, the first on the USS Newport the second on the USS Nassau. So I wasn’t in Beirut, but knew many of the Marines who were. Dennis West was originally from New Richmond, OH and we went to the same high school. Dennis graduated in ’73 (I think) and I graduated in ’79 so I didn’t know him. I did meet his father before he passed away and have met his uncle as well. New Richmond lost two sons that day. Terry Abbott was the other. He graduated in ’77 so I did know him. I didn’t know that he was in the Corps until I ran into him at Rota Spain. We had a few beers together and talked a long time. I posted a great picture of him on FB. Pedro Juan Valle also died in the Root in August ’83 in a mortar attack. He was my assistant before I was transferred to another unit. I learned to speak a little Spanish, all of the cuss words he used when I told him to do something. When the list of names was published in the paper around Veterans Day, I looked over it and found that I knew 11 of the Marines who died in the bombing. Terry, Gunny Belmer, LCpl Gay and a guy named Gaines who was from Florida are some that I remember. I still have the list cut out from the paper in my photo album. Don’t ever forget the ones who made the ultimate sacrifice. I have that date, October 23, marked in my calendar and I remember my Brothers every year.