American citizens priviledged to have Marines protection
Jul 22nd 2006RavenMarine Corps & Raven & War
The Marines are back in Lebanon. This time it’s to evacuate American citizens who seek to leave the war zone. This time the Marines are at least lightly armed, unlike 1983. To those Americans who are being evacuated and who are complaining- they should remember that having the US Marines protect them is indeed a priviledge afforded only to US Citizens.
LARNACA, Cyprus — The head of U.S. efforts to safely pull fleeing Americans from the fighting in Lebanon said today he hopes to have as many as 6,000 people moved out of the increasingly violent country by week’s end.
Using a combination of three CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Navy ships such as the amphibious transport dock ship Nashville and civilian ferries and cruise ships that ply these Mediterranean waters, more than 3,000 American citizens are expected arrive here from Lebanon on Thursday alone.
[…]
“We just started this in earnest a few days ago — starting in the tens and hundreds. We hope by the end of today we will have moved in excess of 1,100 American citizens from Lebanon.â€Jensen said the amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima and the dock landing ship Whidbey Island should be close enough to Lebanon’s capitol of Beirut by Friday to lend support with additional helicopters and landing craft.
Jensen rebuffed criticism of the timing of the military’s efforts to assist the American exit, saying he’s as impatient as anyone to get all who want to leave out.
As in 1983, the Marines are placing themselves in harms way. Those who are being evacuated should respect this and be grateful that the USMC is taking this task on considering the history of this area.
Comments Off
