Remember Beirut

Many people believe the War on Terror began on September 11, 2001. Or possibly in August 1998 when the U.S. Embassies were bombed in Africa. Or perhaps even on February 26, 1993 – the first time the World Trade Center was attacked.

But actually, The Long War really began 25 years ago today, on the morning of October 23, 1983. On that day, Islamic terrorists bombed the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon killing 241 brave American warriors, 58 French soldiers, 6 civilians and injuring scores of others.

The organization Islamic Jihad took responsibility for the attack. (Wouldn't you think true so-called 'freedom fighters' would launch attacks and go on about their day? Why do Islamic thugs take so much joy in the death they deliver?)

Islamic Jihad is an arm of Hezbollah, which receives help from the zealots who run Iran.

So while the vile acts of 9/11 certainly brought this war home to our doorstep, they were by no means the first shots fired. The Jihadists have hated us long before 2001, long before 1998, 1993 and yes, even before 1983. The attacks and hijackings of the 1970's were merely omens of things to come – much bigger things.

So as you go about your day today, try to remember those brave American soldiers who died in Beirut in 1983. And while you're at it, think of those American soldiers who are out there fighting right now, meeting and humiliating thousands of terrorist idiots on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan...and wherever this war takes us.