27 Years Ago

[efdcapt115 1,511]

The Beirut barracks bombing (October 23, 1983 in Beirut, Lebanon) occurred during the Lebanese Civil War, two truck bombs struck separate buildings housing United States and French military forces—members of the Multinational Force in Lebanon—killing 299 American and French servicemen. The organization Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the bombing, but that organization is thought to have been a nom de guerre for Hezbollah—or a group that would later become part of Hezbollah[1]—receiving help from the Islamic Republic of Iran.[2]

Suicide bombers detonated each of the truck bombs. In the attack on the American Marines barracks, the death toll was 241 American servicemen: 220 Marines, 18 Navy personnel and three Army soldiers, along with sixty Americans injured, representing the deadliest single-day death toll for the United States Marine Corps since the Battle of Iwo Jima of World War II, the deadliest single-day death toll for the United States military since the first day of the Tet Offensive during the Vietnam War, and the deadliest single attack on Americans overseas since World War II.[3] In addition, the elderly Lebanese custodian of the Marines' building was killed in the first blast.[4] The explosives used were equivalent to 5,400 kg (12,000 pounds) of TNT.

In the attack on the French barracks, the eight-story 'Drakkar' building, two minutes after the Marine attack, 58 paratroopers from the 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment were killed and 15 injured, in the single worst military loss for France since the end of the Algerian War.[5]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983_Beirut_barracks_bombing

Missed this by two days. For so many of us back then, this was a far away story. Back in '83 I don't think many(or any) of us had computers, let alone the internet. All news came in print, or on radio/tv. Little did we know the ramifications of these bombings. Our enemies saw how easily they could inflict death and terror. Ten years later, they would do the exact same thing (maybe a different grade of explosive) in the first World Trade Center bombing. Know your history, always remember the sacrifices our fellow countrymen have made; those who came before us, and those who fight on today in Afghanistan, where the greatest threat they face are IED's. This was also the first we started hearing about "suicide bombers" and "secondary attacks." The French Paratroopers were standing on the balconies of their building watching what had just happened to the Marine barracks, when the second truck bomber drove in and exploded in their basement garage.

[Guest Firediver]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983_Beirut_barracks_bombing

Missed this by two days. For so many of us back then, this was a far away story. Back in '83 I don't think many(or any) of us had computers, let alone the internet. All news came in print, or on radio/tv. Little did we know the ramifications of these bombings. Our enemies saw how easily they could inflict death and terror. Ten years later, they would do the exact same thing (maybe a different grade of explosive) in the first World Trade Center bombing. Know your history, always remember the sacrifices our fellow countrymen have made; those who came before us, and those who fight on today in Afghanistan, where the greatest threat they face are IED's. This was also the first we started hearing about "suicide bombers" and "secondary attacks." The French Paratroopers were standing on the balconies of their building watching what had just happened to the Marine barracks, when the second truck bomber drove in and exploded in their basement garage.

We invaded Grenada 27yrs ago today also.

[wraftery 1,275]

Don't drop your guard...the bad guys will be back yelling "Allah Acqba" louder than ever.

[SRS131EMTFF 471]

Don't drop your guard...the bad guys will be back yelling "Allah Acqba" louder than ever.

Its actually Alluhu Akbar, arabic to english translation means G-d is great. No different then saying praise Jesus.

[wraftery 1,275]

Its actually Alluhu Akbar, arabic to english translation means G-d is great. No different then saying praise Jesus.

I know that....but that's what the martyrs say.

[Guest Firediver]

I believe the Pagan Arabs spell it Alluhu Akbar (can also be Ekbar)and it means "God is greatest" referring to the over 300 other gods/goddesses that "He" is greater than. We ALL should have an idea on what it means and if someone does walk into an area you are in and it is not one of 5x's of prayer(or Salah/Salat)..........Excuse yourself as swiftly as possible

Edited October 25, 2010 by Firediver