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Beirut Memorial & Grove
Beirut Memorial - The Beirut Memorial was a gift from the citizens of Onslow County to honor those that lived among us and gave so much. It stands as a solemn tribute to 273 Marines who gave the last full measure of devotion in Lebanon and Grenada on October 23, 1983. The names of each man are engraved in granite along with the words “They Came In Peace.”Set in a wooded site with beautiful landscaping, the memorial is a fitting tribute to our military men and women who answer the call every day without regard to personal safety. Each year, an Observance ceremony takes place on October 23 at the Beirut Memorial to remember those who gave the greatest sacrifice for their country.
2023 Memorial Observance - The annual Beirut Memorial Observance is scheduled for 10:30AM on Monday, October 23, 2023 at Lejeune Memorial Gardens, 100 Montford Landing Road. Organized by the Beirut Memorial Advisory Board and the City of Jacksonville in cooperation with MCB Camp Lejeune, the observance honors those killed and the survivors of the Beirut bombing that occurred during a peace mission in Lebanon in 1983. Open to the Public. Learn more with a digital copy of the observance program.
The ceremony will be live-streamed on the City of Jacksonville Facebook page and available for viewing on G10TV, G10TV.org, and the City's Youtube channel.
Display Yellow Ribbons for Beirut Victims & Families |
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Northwoods Park Middle School students were instrumental in responding to the call to plant a tree for each of the men who died in the Beirut bombing October 23, 1983. The City’s Beautification and Appearance Advisory Commission had initiated the tree planting effort the same day of the blast. The next day, students in Martha Warren’s classes vowed to help raise funds for the effort. The action won national attention for the effort, particularly when a student auctioned off her Cabbage Patch doll to raise funds. In recent years, students from Northwoods Park Middle School have renewed their association with the Beirut Memorial Grove project by making ribbons to display on each tree. The ribbon making project allows students to hear more about the legacy of those before them and the history of how our community responded to the Beirut bombing in 1983. |
Lejeune Memorial Gardens is located at 109 Montford Landing Road, Jacksonville, NC. Free parking is available on Montford Point Road at the entrance to Lejeune Memorial Gardens. Informational placards are located at the site.
Jacksonville Transit has a stop located within walking distance to Lejeune Memorial Gardens. A listing of places to stay in Jacksonville during your visit is available at Visit Jacksonville website.
Beirut Memorial Grove
The City of Jacksonville planted a living tribute to those killed in the October 1983 Beirut bombing. A grove of 273 fall flowering Chinese Pistache trees is located at the intersection of US 17, NC 24 and Wilmington Highway across from Camp Geiger. The 273 trees represent those who lost their lives during the blast and related incidents.
Jacksonville officials selected this new site for the creation of the Beirut Memorial Grove to replace the previous Bradford pear trees which were planted to honor the troops killed in Beirut along Freedom Way. Some of the Bradford pear trees along this roadway have been removed, damaged, or have died over time. Changing North Carolina Department of Transportation regulations have made it difficult for the City to safely replace trees.
The City hopes that the new site and flowering Chinese Pistache, which is hardier than the Bradford Pear, will ensure that this community will have continued remembrance of those who gave their lives in the 1983 Beirut bombing.