A memorial monument is being dedicated in Danbury today to Beirut/Lebanon Veterans. State Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Tom Saadi says Mayor Joe Cavo and federal VA Health Care Systems Director Al Montoya will join the Danbury Veterans Council and Danbury Veterans Affairs Office Director Danny Hayes at the dedication ceremony.
The monument was installed last year, but due to COVID-19 the dedication was delayed. The Danbury Police Honor Guard and Immaculate High School choir will be on hand. There will be an unveiling, remarks and wreath laying, starting at 11am in front of the Danbury War Memorial building.
The ceremony is being held on the 38th anniversary of the terrorist bombing of the U.S. Marine Barracks in Beirut which killed 220 U.S. Marines, 18 U.S. Navy Sailors and 3 U.S. Soldiers. Another 183 U.S. Service personnel were wounded in the attack. Saadi says that was the single largest day loss of life for the U.S. Marine Corp since Iwo Jima and single largest day loss of life for the U.S. Military since the Tet Offensive in Vietnam.
The Beirut Veterans Memorial is inscribed with the names of the 8 Connecticut residents killed in bombing and two service members who lost their lives in Lebanon in 1958 and 1985.
