Bombing Memorial
Elkins Marine’s sacrifice honored
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LCPL David Cosner
ELKINS -- Forty years ago, an Elkins Marine and four other West Virginians were among 241 service personnel killed in the explosion of the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon.
The attack, which claimed the lives of 220 Marines, 17 Navy medical personnel and four Army soldiers, marked the largest single-day loss of U.S. Marines since the battle of Iwo Jima in February 1945.
On Monday at the Beirut Bombing Memorial on the Randolph County Courthouse lawn, the Elkins Marine Corps League Detachment 956 held its annual observance to remember and honor sacrifices made by those service members on Oct. 23, 1983.
Greg Irwin, past commandant of Detachment 956 and a close friend of LCPL David Cosner, who died in the bombing, presented remarks during the ceremony.
"This day has been consecrated to our departed Marines, Fleet Marine Force corpsmen and Army soldiers. It gives us an appropriate occasion to dedicate and re-consecrate ourselves to the preservation of the fruits of their victories, and the sacred heritage that was purchased by their valor and sealed with their blood," Irwin said.
"This event shocked the world and saddened the nation. These military personnel were serving their country and their deaths only serve to verify that danger comes from many sources. They never had a chance to defend themselves.
"We who live are the only ones left to defend them and their memory. They live through each of us. Our presence is a reflection of our remembrance for these fallen servicemen. Even though we never knew all of them, it matters not today as we who have served our country are bonded together as brothers," Irwin said.
"These fallen servicemen never had a chance to return home and live normal lives and enjoy the things we all share," he added. "They died young and it is important that we remember their youth and the tremendous impact on their families. Their loss is felt every day and this anniversary reminds them that we mourn for them. This ceremony does not take away the pain, but it allows us who attend this service to share that pain and help bring some closure to their loved ones."
Americans enjoy many freedoms and that freedom has a price, he said.
"These men paid some of that debt with their lives and that's why we must never forget their supreme sacrifice," Irwin said. "It is with respect and dignity that we are here today to remember them, honor them and pledge never to forget them. We stand here together from various veterans' organizations and pause so that these fallen heroes would not be forgotten. Mere words spoken for any fallen hero are never enough so we must keep their spirit alive by striving to keep their memory in each of us.
"We recall the glorious aspirations and hopes that filled their souls in times that demanded willingness to lay down one's life for his country. Times filled with the spirit of freedom, patriotism and devotion. Now, on this occasion, we re-kindle the fires of patriotism, freedom and liberty, and again renew the vows of loyalty to the accomplishments that our noble dead have made. Glorious are the dead who died for liberty. Blessed are those whose blood was shed for the welfare of their fellowmen," Irwin said.
Facing Randolph Avenue, the granite Beirut Bombing Memorial monument features an engraved plaque listing the names of five servicemen from West Virginia who lost their lives in the explosion, including LCPL David Cosner, Elkins; CPL Medot Camara, Hinton; LCPL Russell Cyzicle, Star City; CPL Timothy Runnigan, Princeton; and Hospital Corpsman Second Class Martin Kees, Martinsburg.
"This monument is small yet serves as a constant reminder of who these men were," Irwin said.
"It is right and salutary that those who did sacrifice and die, should be remembered and honored for the invaluable service they rendered to their country and humanity. Their courage, honor and commitment were displayed every day as they served their country. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance," Irwin said.
"I am humbled, yet so proud and privileged to stand here with these veterans and honor these fallen heroes. We all mourn the loss of so many lives and each one means something. Your brothers stand near you ensuring that you will never be forgotten. Your memory is eternal. You are with God and we know you are at peace."