I met some brother veterans at the Memorial Day Parade in DC last week that survived the barracks bombing of Beirut. They have asked us at CW for help. I am putting it out to all of you (our readers and listeners) to come to their assistance. Read below for how you can help. Thank you and Semper Fi!!

Starting with the support from two Gold Star Mothers, the Beirut Veterans and Family Members have been seeking a commemorative USPS Postage Stamp for the past 20+ years to no avail. The most recent decision by the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee states

“The Committee cited its longstanding general policy of not honoring the victims of tragic situations, including natural disasters, acts of violence, and catastrophes.”

Yet every war memorial – each one known for its tragedies and acts of violence – on the National Mall in Washington, DC has a commemorative USPS Stamp.

The Beirut Memorial in Jacksonville, NC has nothing. They were simply the first strike in the current war on terror.

The Beirut Memorial is the site of a remembrance ceremony every October 23rd, commemorating the Beirut bombing, and during the year countless enlistment and re-enlistment ceremonies and a popular tourist/reunion stop for the Camp LeJeune military/veterans community. Much like the same current happenings on the Mall in Washington, DC.

There is even a website set up, www.BeirutStamp.com, for the general public to sign an online petition and show support for this stamp. To date, there are 14,666 signatures. The website has a vast history of the mission and role of the Peacekeeper while serving in Beirut.

What we are asking from you is for some much needed daylight on this worthwhile human interest story. We will be re-applying this fall (rebutting the last verdict) with the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee and hope we can get support from the American public on our side with this final attempt at a USPS commemorative stamp.