Dixon in Lee County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Beirut Memorial

Photographed By Sean Flynn, January 7, 2024

1. Beirut Memorial

Inscription. [Top tablet:]
In memory of the 241 United States Marines who died in service to their country, in the cause of peace, Beirut, Lebanon, October 28, 1983. The people of the Rock River Valley dedicate this marker and trees throughout the Dixon Park District in their memory.

[Bottom tablet:]
In honor of
241 service members
220 Marines — 18 Navy — 3 Army

Killed in action on 23 October 1983
in Beirut, Lebanon

This memorial re-dedicated on
23 October 2013
and placed at Veterans Memorial Park

This memorial, first dedicated on 6 July 1986 by the Dixon Park District and WSDR Radio, was originally located in Presidents Park on the north shore of Rock River.

Erected 1983 by Dixon Park District; WSDR Radio.

Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in this topic list: Military. A significant historical date for this entry is October 23, 1983.

Location. 41° 50.88′ N, 89° 30.176′ W. Marker is in Dixon, Illinois, in Lee County. Marker can be reached from Palmyra Street (Illinois Route 2) near Palmyra Road. The marker is in Veterans Memorial Park, on the western edge of Dixon. From Illinois Route 2, it is behind (north of) the Thunderchief fighter jet. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 668 Veterans Parkway, Dixon IL 61021, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lee County World War I Memorial (here, next to this marker); Kaiser Jeep M-725 (a few steps from this marker); F-105D Thunderchief (a few steps from this marker); Lee County World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Mothers of World War II, Dixon Unit 123 (within shouting distance of this marker); Navy Anchor (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dixon.

More about this memorial. For its first 27 years, this marker stood in Presidents Park, about 1¼ miles east of this location, near the Galena Avenue bridge over the Rock River.

Dixon native Ronald Reagan was president when the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut was struck by two truck bombs, killing 307 people total, including 241 Americans.

Beirut Memorial Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn

2. Beirut Memorial Marker

The marker's original tablet

Photographed By Sean Flynn, January 7, 2024

3. Beirut Memorial

The marker is near the Thunderchief aircraft on display at Veterans Memorial Park.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 46 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 8, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.