Remembering 1983: Pride, Grief, and Brotherhood Aboard the USS Austin (LPD-4)

Veterans Day is a time for reflection, gratitude, and remembrance. For those of us who served in the Eastern Mediterranean during the early 1980s, it is also a day to pause and honor the brothers we lost and the families who still bear that sorrow. As I look back on my time in the United States Navy, my deployment off the coast of Beirut in 1983 remains one of the most defining chapters of my life. Below are a few personal thoughts on what that service meant to me then, and why I carry both a heavy heart and an enduring sense of pride today.

Today, on Veterans Day, I find myself looking back on my time in the United States Navy—specifically my deployment off the coast of Beirut in 1983 aboard the USS Austin (LPD-4).

Over forty years have passed since we sailed those waters, yet the memories remain just as vivid. Serving aboard an amphibious transport dock during the Multinational Force peacekeeping mission meant living with a constant sense of purpose, alertness, and camaraderie. Watching the Marines go ashore while our crew worked tirelessly around the clock to support the mission taught me the true meaning of teamwork, resilience, and duty.

1983 was a heavy, defining year for everyone stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean. The sights, the tension on the horizon, and the heartbreak of October 23rd stay with you forever. My profound grief for the Sailors and Marines who made the ultimate sacrifice that day never fades, and my deepest sympathy remains with the families who have carried the weight of their loss ever since. Those experiences shaped who I am today, reminding me daily of the cost of freedom and the unbreakable bond shared between

the Sailors and Marines who stood the watch together.

Decades later, one thing has never changed: my deep, unwavering pride in having worn the uniform. To my shipmates from the USS Austin (LPD-4), to the Marines we carried, and to all who served in Beirut—I am honored to have stood beside you. Fair winds and following seas to all my fellow veterans today and always. ⚓🇺🇸

Thank you for reading, and thank you to every veteran and military family for your service and sacrifice. Standing the watch in remembrance. Proud to have served.

#USNavy #NavyVeteran #USSAustin #LPD4 #Beirut1983 #BeirutVeterans #VeteransDay #HonorAndPride #NeverForgotten

About Ol' Big Jim

Jim L. Wright is a storyteller with a lifetime of experiences as colorful as the characters he creates. Born and raised in Piedmont, Alabama, Jim’s connection to the land, history, and people of the region runs deep. His debut novel New Yesterdays is set in his hometown, where he grew up listening to stories of the past—stories that sparked his imagination and curiosity for history. Today, Jim lives in Leeds, Alabama, with his husband Zeek, a tour operator who shares his passion for adventure and discovery. Known affectionately as “Ol’ Big Jim,” he has had a diverse career that includes time as a storekeeper, an embalmer, a hospital orderly, and a medical coder. There are even whispers—unconfirmed, of course—that he once played piano in a house of ill repute. No matter the job, one thing has remained constant: Jim is a teller of tales. His stories—sometimes humorous, sometimes thought-provoking—are often inspired by his unique life experiences. Many of these tales can be found on his popular blog, Ol’ Big Jim, where he continues to share his musings with a loyal readership. Jim’s adventures have taken him far beyond Alabama. For seven years, he lived in Amman, Jordan, the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city. His time there, spent in smoky coffee shops, enjoying a hookah and a cuppa dark, foamy Turkish coffee while scribbling in his ever-present notebook, deeply influenced his worldview and his writing. When Jim isn’t writing, he’s thinking about writing. His stories, whether tall tales from his past or imaginative reimagining of historical events, reflect a life lived fully and authentically. With New Yesterdays, Jim brings readers a rich tapestry of history, fantasy, and human connection. Visit his blog at www.olbigjim.com to read more of his stories, or follow him on social media to keep up with his latest musings and projects, one of which is a series that follows Bonita McCauley, an amateur detective who gets into some very sticky situations. His book, New Yesterdays, can be found at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble.

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