Marine Corps Moms: Tribute to Robert Stethem, USN

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June 19, 2004

Tribute to Robert Stethem, USN

Jen Martinez called attention to this comment left on her tribute to Flight 847. where USN diver Robert Stethem was beaten and killed by terrorists on June 14, 1985. His body was dumped on the tarmac of the Beirut airport. Here is an eyewitness account of Stethem's last minutes:

Over the couse of time we are told that we will forget the pains that have been inflicted upon us.
I was one of the Navy Seabee Divers who had to endure the pain of hearing and seeing SW2 (DV) Robert Stethem go through the brutality of terrorism on June 14, 1985. It has been 19 years since that day. I will NEVER FORGET what he sacraficed. I was lucky/blessed to be able to return home after 17 days of captivity. The mental and physical pains which we all endured during that time will heal, but will also be forever etched into our memory. Bobby was a close friend who is deeply missed by many. Let us all remember what has been taken away from us by EVIL and call it what it is. Many people ask me the question of, are we doing the right thing in waging a world wide war on terror, as if I am some type of an expert on the topic. I can only respond by saying,"If you can answer that question buy saying NO, you have not personally felt the pain of the enemy. Only a casual observer can say that we are doing the wrong thing, someone who lives in a bubble".

Let us not just remember the events of Sept. 11,2001, but remember all of what has happened over the course of many years. Remember we are not the bad guys in this fight. It is right for us to take a stand and support the cause of freedom and to do our best in preventing these acts of barbarism.
I have no doubts that if Robert Stethem were still alive what his answer would be.

As the gunman fired the fatal shot into my friends head, he cried out to God. That is the example I will always remember and try to follow. Never give up, endure all that is pressed upon me, and cry out to God for strength when I have done all that is within my power. We as a Nation can respond to evil in this same way. The motto of the USS Stethem DDG-63 is, "Steadfast and Courageous". This very applicable to the way Bobby lived & died.

We can honor him and all the other 5000+ Americans who have fallen to terrorism by applying this creed to our support of our Armed Forces and President of this great nation.

May we endure as Bobby did untill the end and always "Keep the Faith"

Posted by Deb at June 19, 2004 10:30 AM

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Comments

I was an 8 year old girl living in Beirut and remember seeing the hijacked TWA flight flying over our apartment building. My mother told me that this is a hijacked plane but as a child, I didn't know what exactly could happen. Then as we moved and currently reside in the US, I know the full story. It turns out that my mother didn't want to frighten me and my brother. Lebanese civilians who saw this sick and disgusting act were furious but little power did they have. As hard as it is to believe, we were just as terrified by terrorists as the whole world is now. Here I am now almost 20 years later understanding why my family immigrated to the US. Without our faith in God and without being given the opportunity to come here to the US, we would still be living under fear. Our prayers were with Robert Stetham especially at that hour......

Posted by: Dina at July 26, 2004 07:18 AM

hello for all ppl around the world .... i just wanna ask all the world ... why the hijackers take off the plane ... why ??? coz they want the lebanese hostages on the israel to back for parents ??? we have a right to fight in any way to let our ppl back to home .. thx god coz u give us a men like mughniyeh , izz-al-din- , ATWA.... By The Way Izz-AL-Din Was my neighbour :>

Posted by: HASAN at August 25, 2004 11:17 AM

Posted by: HASAN at August 25, 2004 11:18 AM

Please Please pass this on to Robert's family I was his age I remember my heart blead my family is a military family. After last nights speech at the rnc and they listed acts of terror my mind and heart were once again filled with the spirit of Robert. His name at the tip of my lips as if he had been family. His life was taken the same date as my mother's. He's in my thoughts and it may sound crazy but I feel as if he's over my shoulder right now. Peace to us all

Posted by: tina at September 3, 2004 09:37 AM

I too was young when TW847 was hijacked - 11 yrs of age and living in Australia. Over time, I have read so much about what happened in those days/weeks in June 1985 and cannot begin to understand how much everyone suffered, especially Robert and his family. For a guy so young, I am constantly amazed and impressed with his sense of courage and steadfastness. I am also so angry that something like this could have happened in the first place.

I often think when I am down or undergoing intense stress in my life, how little this compares to what Robert and the other passengers on that flight endured. Robert moreso. I gather strength from his actions and deeds and like Tina says, sometimes it seems crazy - but I also feel that he's over my shoulder right now. Thank you.

God Bless

Posted by: James at September 19, 2004 08:53 AM

I'm just browsing around your site for the first time, interesting read

Posted by: Twinks at September 23, 2004 11:09 AM

I was stationed onboard the USS Stethem from 1997-2000 and have very many fond memories of her. While I am truly appreciative of your tribute to her namesake, I couldn't help but notice the misspelling of his name in the title and elsewhere in the write-up. Please continue to honor him and his family by correcting these misspellings. Fair winds and following seas!

Posted by: ET1(SW/SCW) Kelly A. Orozco at October 9, 2004 08:42 PM

I'm 36. At the time not very interested in world events. I am now. I wanted to learn more on the evil acts of that day. I'm proud to be in the USN and attached to the Seabees. Thanks for the info.

Posted by: MA3 at October 21, 2004 07:24 AM

THE MAGIC NUMBER. ROBERT STETHAM WAS ONE. 247 MARINES IN BEIRUT WAS MORE NOTICEABLE. BUCKLEY WAS ONE, I JUST LEARRNED ABOUT 3 AMERICANS KILLED IN THE SAUDI EMBASSY IN SUDAN WITH ARRAFAT GIVING THE DEATH ORDER BY SHORT WAVE, THE USS STARKE, THE AL KHOBAR TOWERS, THE EMBASSIES OF TAZANIYA AND KENYA, THE USS COLE AND THEN 911. THE NUMBERS ARE HIGHER BUT WE STILL HAVE NOT REACHED THE MAGIC NUMBER. THE NUMBER THAT TAKES THE ENTIRE COUNTRY TO WAR. OSAMA SAYS IT IS 100,000.
HE IS NOT GIVING UP. ARE YOU?

Posted by: CAPTAIN BOYCOTT at November 12, 2004 07:36 PM

Thanks for the link to this page

Posted by: Tracy at December 8, 2004 12:55 AM

You are not forgotton. May God ease your family pain. I hope someday we will find these terriost & they shall pay.

Posted by: Collins at February 24, 2005 11:39 AM