Marine Security Guard Detachment
US Embassy
Beirut, Lebanon

GUEST BOOK

 

 

-----Original Message------------------------------

From: bryon hallman [mailto:bahallman@yahoo.com]

Sent: Sunday, March 08, 2009 12:13 PM

To: history@embassymarine.org

Subject: My Tour in Beirut

 

Hello, to the Marines who served in the American Embassy Beirut. 

I was a Communications Programs Officer during the war years about May 1976 to April 1979.  At the end of May 1976 our ambassador, the Econ Off, and the driver were killed while crossing to the North (green line).  Several months later there was an evacuation of all Embassy personnel except for the seven Marines in the MSG Det, and about seven or eight  Department of State (DOS) employees. 

We all lived in the vacated Embassy for the next half year. Even during the dark days when the city was burning, there was a bond created between the Marines and us few DOS personnel working and living

under the one roof.  Tragically all was lost in the bombing which took the lives of those Marines and many Foreign Service National (FSN) employees.

 

There is a plaque in their memory at the Embassy compound.  I had the privilege of serving on temporary duty in 2000 which I could finally pay my respects personally to those Marines, seven FSN personnel who worked for me, and the
other FSN employees who I had known on two separate assignments in Beirut.

 

Although I was not a U.S. Marine myself, my  years  (1964 - 2007) of DOS employment repeatedly confirmed my respect for  the professionalism of the Marines who guard our Embassies worldwide.

With Respect,

Bryon A. Hallman

Former Communications Officer

Beirut, Lebanon

From:    Shane Dick [shane333666@gmail.com]
Sent:    August 20, 2013 6:31 PM
To:    history@embassymarine.org
Subject:    My tour in Beirut 76-77

I just read the notes from Mr Hallman; Commo Officer for the Dept of State.
He was a great guy, and always maintained his sense of humor, even in the worst of times. I have vivid memories of many of my fellow Marines , State Dept and Local staff. all of whom would risk everything for each other.

In the darkest times, we never gave in to despair and yes, even in the middle of the civil war, we partied together like there was no tomorrow.

My feelings and memories run the full spectrum, from happiest to saddest times of my life. My email is William.david.dick@us.army.mil. (Yes) after the Corps I went in the Army reserves while going to college; graduated with a Bachelors, and retired after 27yrs combined service.

Would be extremely happy to talk with anyone that was there.

Sgt William "Bill" Dick