Marines' 40th memorial of Beirut attack: A somber reminder of ongoing threats

As Marines gathered to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Beirut attack that killed 241 U.S. service members, the looming war in the Middle East was not lost on anyone. Gen. Eric Smith, the Marine commandant, warned potential aggressors not to target the Marine expeditionary unit currently deployed near Israel, stating that if they were targeted, "someone else will raise your children." The ceremony also highlighted the sacrifices made in Beirut in 1983, but with the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, concerns about the safety of U.S. service members in the region were present. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit has been deployed to the East Mediterranean and is prepared to respond if needed.