US Embassy Beirut marks 40th anniversary of 1983 embassy bombing

U.S. Embassy Beirut on Tuesday marked the 40th anniversary of the April 18, 1983 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, in which a suicide bomber attacked the embassy, killing 63, including 52 Lebanese and American Embassy employees.

Families of the victims joined Ambassador Dorothy Shea, Deputy Chief of Mission Richard Michaels, and the Embassy community to honor and pay tribute to the men and women who lost their lives in this attack, and to pay respects to their families and loved ones.

“Forty years after the bombing, the United States remains committed to its efforts to defeat terrorists wherever they are. The American people will never forget those who lost their lives while pursuing peace, promoting human rights, and advancing fundamental freedoms,” a U.S. Embassy statement said.

Ambassador Shea laid a wreath at the U.S. Embassy memorial adorned with the phrase, "They Came in Peace," as DCM Michaels placed a wreath at the site of the original embassy at Ain al-Mreisseh in Beirut. Members of the Embassy community “said the names of each victim, remembered their service, and honored their sacrifice,” the statement said.

In her remarks, Ambassador Shea observed that, “those who made the decision to violently murder our colleagues, and to wound our Embassy family underestimated us.”

“They did not understand that the bonds we all share are strong, despite the fear and intimidation that they may try to instill. Let us show, with our continued commitment to this community, to our shared goals, that in their effort to break us, Hezbollah failed. No one can break the resolve we all share – to work together, care for one another, and support a better future for the Lebanese people,” Shea added.

“The people of the United States and Lebanon have the strength and the will to continue forward, into a better, brighter, and more peaceful future,” she said.