Retired Marine shares past

Photo By Sgt. Eric Quintanilla | Retired Col. Timothy J. Geraghty signs copies of his book "Peacekeepers at War" after his professional miliitary education class at the Command Museum aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, April 29. Geraghty was the commanding officer of the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit during the Beirut bombing in 1983.  

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT, SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

04.29.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Eric Quintanilla 

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego     

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Retired Col. Timothy J. Geraghty gave a professional military education class to senior enlisted, officers and civilians April 29 at the Command Museum aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

Geraghty was the commanding officer of the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit during the bombing of Beirut, Lebanon in 1983. “In the context of history, the circumstances of Beirut 1983 was the spark of the asymmetrical war that we’ve been in ever since -- that we are in today,” said Geraghty.

Geraghty has been touring the country since 2009 to promote the release of his book Peacekeepers at War. It took him five years to complete his research and finish writing the book.

Although he believed at some point in time he would have to write a book, it was the pleas from the families of the troops involved to tell his side of the story that gave him the encouragement he needed.

“That’s been the most inspiring thing for me, to see the families 20 to 25 years later and their kids,” said Geraghty.

During his PME, “Connecting the Dots Beirut 1983 to 9/11 to Current War on Terrorists,” he goes over his experiences in the Marine Corps pertaining to the Beirut bombing. He talked about topics such as the bombing itself and how it relates to the current war on terrorism.

He believes our lack of response to the Beirut bombing has emboldened terrorists. “Few would think that the Beirut bombing would evolve to what it is today, the global threat of terrorism,” said Geraghty.

After the class Geraghty opened the floor to questions from the audience before moving on to a book signing and reception.

Some of the questions asked were what could the Reagan administration done about the bombing and what conclusions were drawn on how casualties could have been avoided.

There were more than 40 guests in attendance, over half of which were active duty military.

“It’s nice to hear the history of what happened there by someone who was there and not just read about it in books,” said Capt. Christopher Anderson, company commander of Company D. “It brings it to life.”

He has been sharing his experiences with students, corporations and military all around the country. His largest audience was 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. with more than 100 in attendance.

Geraghty, 73, spent almost 26 years in the Marine Corps and is still making time to teach the new generation of Marines.

“This is a great lesson of the past and is the pride of the future,” said Master Sgt. James McDonald, provost sergeant of the provost marshal’s office.

• Date Taken: 04.29.2011
• Date Posted: 05.05.2011 12:17
• Story ID: 69894
• Location: MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT, SAN DIEGO, CA, US