Breaking News – 9/24/2020 @ 1300 hours EST: The City of Jacksonville publishes a Press Release concerning the 37th Annual Memorial Observance scheduled for 1030 hours on October 23, 2020. The Beirut Veterans of America’s Board and Officers are closely watching these developments, with more information possibly released the week of September 28th. This may include an announcement of changes in social distancing policies (NC Phases) by the Governor of North Carolina. We will keep everyone advised as best we can, and as quickly as we can.
Persons in what are considered ‘high risk’ categories and with underlying health concerns should take note that many events in the Jacksonville area have been cancelled, including the Octoberfest previously scheduled to occur during this same period. The announcement below strongly urges those persons to join the Memorial virtually, and stay home. The service will NOT be open to any public! Here is the Release:
The City of Jacksonville and our partners will continue the pledge to remember the events of October 23, 1983 with a virtual event because of concerns for safety. The annual Beirut Memorial Observance normally has a large attendance of Gold Star Families, Beirut Veterans and local residents.
The Beirut Memorial Observance honors the fallen service members and survivors who served in Lebanon from 1958 to 1984 and in Grenada.
The Observance is organized by the Beirut Memorial Advisory Board in cooperation with the City, Marine Corps Installations East, and Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
Because of COVID-19 concerns, only those who have a part in the observance will be at the site.
The Beirut Veterans of America, which normally has a large presence at the observance, and which holds their annual conference during this time, is monitoring the situation and may consider some lessening of their activities.
The public and the Gold Star Families will be able to view the virtual event. The livestream will be available on the Jacksonville-Onslow Government television channel on local Spectrum cable, at www.G10TV.org, on www.dvidshub.net and various other social media channels that will be announced later.
The Memorial site will be closed while the 10:30AM observance is being conducted for the safety of those producing the event.
This will be the first time in the history of the Observance that it will be closed and organizers hope they will be able to resume a normal observance on the 38th anniversary next year.
