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Pence, Gallagher, Moulton, Carbajal Introduce Legislation To Establish National Day of Remembrance Of The 1983 Beirut Bombing

July 29, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Representatives Greg Pence (R-IN-06), Mike Gallagher (R-WI-08), Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), and Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) introduced a House Resolution expressing support for the designation of October 23, 2019, as a national day of remembrance of the tragic 1983 terrorist bombing of the United States Marine Corps Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon.

Submitted Thursday, the legislation is very personal to Pence, who served in the Marines from 1979 to 1984 and assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines. In 1983, his battalion was ordered to Beirut, Lebanon in 1983.

"I was lucky. My battalion shipped out just days before the bombing," said Rep. Greg Pence. "I was able to come home to my wife, who was expecting our first child, and my family in Columbus. I told myself I would never forget those men, and this is part of that commitment."

"The brave heroes who laid it all on the line for our nation in Beirut must be remembered. By designating October 23 as a day to honor those who died and those who were injured in that terrible bombing 36 years ago, we are doing our small part to ensure their memories live on," said Rep. Salud Carbajal. "As a Marine myself, I am proud to introduce this resolution and am humbled by the many service members who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Semper Fi."

"Hezbollah's bombing of the U.S. Marine Barracks in Beirut was the deadliest day for the Marine Corps since Iwo Jima," said Rep. Mike Gallagher. "The service and sacrifices of those lost or injured on this day should never be forgotten, and I hope that with this resolution we can honor their memory for generations to come."

Background: In October 1983, an Iranian national drove a truck bomb into the U.S. Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. The devastating bombing killed 241 American service members, including 220 Marines. The attack was perpetrated by Hezbollah, a terror group founded, trained, and financially supported by the Iranian regime.

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