On Oct. 23, 1983, retired Marine Kevin Jiggets survived one of the deadliest terrorist attacks on Americans. A bomb detonated at the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 241 service members. The bombing would mark the largest loss of life for Marines since the Vietnam War and the worst overall since the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Jiggetts, who was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, remembers his fellow Marines and friends.
“The whole tragedy gives a greater respect for life because in a matter of seconds all my guys were gone,” Jiggetts said. “Just like that, 241 of my best friends gone in an instant. You respect life, and the possibilities of life. Their youthful faces, that’s all I remember. They never got a chance to be 56 like me and grow up.”
Each year on Oct. 23, hundreds of Marines, Sailors and family members attend a memorial observance at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens to remember the lives lost at Beirut, Lebanon and Grenada, and this year was no exception as more than 1,200 people came to this year’s ceremony.
“The whole tragedy gives a greater respect for life because in a matter of seconds all my guys were gone,” Jiggetts said. “Just like that, 241 of my best friends gone in an instant. You respect life, and the possibilities of life. Their youthful faces, that’s all I remember. They never got a chance to be 56 like me and grow up.”
Kevin Jiggetts or 'jiggsy,' is more than just a Combat Decorated U.S. Marine Vet, he's an acclaimed Actor/Writer with 30 years in the industry. Recent to LA from NYC and parts East, the native of Washington, DC arrives with countless AEA Theater credits as well as T.V. and Film recognition. In 2017, he Won “Best Supporting Actor” for his Role in “The Night Watchmen.”
