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.

2022 Memorial Observance

The annual Beirut Memorial Observance is schedule for 2PM on Sunday, October 23, 2022 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. View the virtual program for the Memorial Observance here.

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

Community members are asked to display yellow ribbons to welcome families and survivors on the occasion of the anniversary of the Beirut bombing.The Onslow Civic Affairs Committee is working with students to make yellow ribbons that will be displayed on each of the 273 trees at the Beirut Memorial Grove, located on US17 South across from Camp Geiger. 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.