Va. War Memorial seeks families of Virginia Marines killed in 1983 Beirut bombing 

This October, the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond will commemorate and honor the U.S. Marines who died in the bombing of their barracks in Beirut, Lebanon in October 1983 with a special program and film premiere. The film, produced by the VWM in association with Blue Ridge PBS, is entitled “One Week In October” and tells the story of both the Beirut bombing and the invasion of the island of Grenada during the same week.  The film will also be aired on PBS television stations throughout Virginia.

VWM staff members are seeking family members and relatives of the 11 Virginia Marines who lost their lives in the bombing.  These persons will be invited to a special 40th-anniversary ceremony at the Memorial Oct. 23.

The list of names, followed by the city or town listed as residence or place of enlistment, includes (in alphabetical order) Nicholas Baker (Alexandria), Richard E. Barrett (Tappahannock), James R. Baynard  (Richmond), William B. Foster Jr. (Richmond), Michael D. Fulcher (Amherst), Warner Gibbs Jr. (Portsmouth), Douglas E. Held  (Richmond), James C. Knipple (Alexandria), Jeffrey B. Owen (Virginia Beach), Joseph A. Owens (Chesterfield), and Eric G. Washington  (Alexandria).

Family members and relatives of the individuals listed above are asked to contact Ben King, operations director at VWM, at Benjamin.King@dvs.virginia.gov or (804) 362-2333.