Beirut Stamp Initiative
They Came In Peace - Beirut Memorial - Jacksonville, NC

A Navy LST crammed with evacuees leaves Lebanon's port of Juniyah on June 24, 1982 as fighting between Israeli and PLO/Syrian forces escalates in Beirut. The 32d Marine Amphibious Unit helped oversee the evacuation of 580 noncombatants from Juniyah, and within two months would begin an extended multi-national peace-keeping operation in Lebanon. Photo by: Official USMC Photo -- LINKED TO STORY

Signs outside a tent from BLT 1/8, the ground combat element of the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit, in Beirut. The signs, written in July, August, and September 1983, show the loosening of the rules of engagement for the Marines involved in peace-keeping operations in Lebanon. Photo by: Official USMC Photo -- LINKED TO STORY

Marines from the 32d Marine Amphibious Unit fortify their position at Beirut International Airport during the opening days of a nulti-national peacekeeping operation in Lebanon. Photo by: Official USMC Photo -- LINKED TO STORY

Marines from the 32d Marine Amphibious Unit patrol the outskirts of Beirut International Airport in Oct. 1982 during the intial stages of a multi-national peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. Photo by: Official USMC Photo -- LINKED TO STORY

Using a metal detector, Marines from the 32 Marine Amphibious Unit scour 'Green Beach' for mines and unexploded ordnance in Oct. 1982 during the first days of a multi-national peace-keeping operation in Beirut, Lebanon. Photo by: Official USMC Photo -- LINKED TO STORY
Stamp Design

The stamp was designed by Ron Heflin of Broomal, PA, who is the nephew of Mrs. Joan Muffler, whose son, L/Cpl John F. Muffler, was killed in action on October 23, 1983.

 

Previous Commandant of the Marine Corps letter to the Postmaster General

Robert 'Bob' Bittner, National VP, National League of Postmasters, letter to the Postmaster General (pdf)

Actual Reasons Declined by the Stamp Committee in the past include:

  • "We try hard to honor positive things"
  • "People want non-controversial pretty stamps"
  • "Beirut lacked significance in American history and not enough people were killed"

Beirut Stamp Initiative Resolution:

WHEREAS in August 1982 the United States government entered into a multinational peacekeeping force agreement in Beirut, Lebanon.

WHEREAS in February 1984 the United States government withdrew its personnel and equipment from the multinational peacekeeping force agreement in Beirut, Lebanon.

WHEREAS from September 29th, 1982 through January 31st, 1984 the United States had 270 Marines, sailors and soldiers killed in action from 33 of her states, her capitol: District of Columbia, a territory: Puerto, Rico and an allied country: United Kingdom. Approximately 151 United States servicemen were wounded in action or permanently disabled while serving in Beirut, Lebanonen 1982-1984 on a peacekeeping mission.

WHEREAS for over eighteen year family, friends, comrades and United States citizens have asked the United States Postal Service to issue a commemorative postage stamp to honor the victims and peacekeepers of Beirut, Lebanon 1982-1984.

WHEREAS the United States Postal Service and the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee have refused to issue a stamp commemorating the peacekeeping mission in Beirut, Lebanon 1982-1984

WHEREAS the United States Postal Service and Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee cite guidelines to issue stamps.

WHEREAS the United States Postal Service and the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee are an independent agency of the United States government with guidelines to follow which they have broken at their discretion and at will.

WHEREAS the Postmaster General relies heavily on the recommendation of the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee, the Postmaster general has the final authority to determine both subject matter and designs for the U.S.postal stamps and stationery.

WHEREAS the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee is to meet quarterly each year as set forth by their guideline to decide on stamps to be issued.

WHEREAS the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee has already decided the stamps to be issued for years 2004 and 2005.

WHEREAS a stamp has not been unveiled and issued for the 1982-1984 peacekeeping mission in Beirut, Lebanon.

WHEREAS the peacekeeping mission in Beirut, Lebanon has widespread national appeal.

WHEREAS the Gulf war and the terrorist attacks on September 11th are of historical significance and the criteria for issuing the stamp was waived, and commemorative stamps were issued in less than a year.

THEREFORE meeting the basic criteria for a commemorative postage stamp for service in Beirut, Lebanon a commemorative postage stamp should be issued.

Congressional Approval
(Unsuccessful - bill failed to get passed)

House Resolution H. Res. 45
108th Congress, First Session
January 29, 2003

"Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued in remembrance of the victims of the peacekeeping mission in Beirut, Lebanon, from 1982 to 1984."

Whereas on the morning of October 23, 1983, at approximately 6:20 a.m., a truck packed with explosives broke security and detonated outside of the United States Marine Corps Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon;

Whereas 241 United States Military personnel were killed in the blast;

Whereas a total of 273 members of the Armed Services from 36 States across the United States were killed while serving in Beirut, Lebanon, from 1982 to 1984;

Whereas the servicemen were part of a multinational peacekeeping force;

Whereas the honor and sacrifice of the victims will never be forgotten;

Whereas remembering those who lost their lives in Beirut would enhance public awareness of the roots of the war on terror and strengthen public resolve to rid the world of evil;

Whereas October 23, 2003, will mark the 20th anniversary of the Beirut bombing;

Whereas the Nation should celebrate the peace in the American spirit that was embodied in the mission of these fallen heroes; and

Whereas more than 20,000 signatures have been collected from families, citizens, and comrades in favor of a stamp to honor those who lost their lives on that noble mission: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that--

(1) the United States Postal Service should issue a commemorative postage stamp in remembrance of the victims of the Beirut peacekeeping mission; and

(2) the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend to the Postmaster General that such a stamp be issued.