Rabbi Arnold Resnicoff never intended to be in Beirut in Lebanon, on Oct.23, 1983, when suicide bombers drove explosive-laden trucks into Marine Corps barracks, killing 241 American service members.
But as Resnicoff told Fox News Digital, his presence during that event and advocacy thereafter would bring solace and support for a multitude of American service members, leading to his strong belief that "a coincidence is just God acting anonymously."Tasked to the U.S.Navy’s 6th Fleet, Resnicoff was part of a three-chaplain team supporting service members across 40 ships stationed in the Mediterranean.
On Friday, Oct.21, Resnicoff arrived in Beirut to perform a memorial service for a Jewish Marine who had been killed in the line of duty.
Navy leadership wanted to send him back to the boat the following day, but as an observant Jew, he refused to travel on the Sabbath.IRAN OFFICIAL ADMITS COUNTRY’S ROLE IN TERROR BOMBING THAT KILLED 241 US MILITARY MEMBERS: REPORTFrom left to right, Protestant chaplain Danny Wheeler, Rabbi Arnold Resnicoff and Catholic chaplain George Pucciarelli attend the Oct.21, 1983, memorial service for Jewish Marine Staff Sgt.
Allen Soifert two days prior to the terrorist bombing.(Courtesy of Rabbi Arnold Resnicoff)Resnicoff woke early on the morning of Oct.
23 and was brushing his teeth at 6:22 a.m.when his building began to shake violently.
As doors came off their hinges and windows exploded, Resnicoff and others took cover on the floor, believing their building had been hit by a rocket or mortars.When the ruckus stopped, the men began to hear "these terrible, terrible screams" coming from the building 50 yards away from where Protestant minister Danny Wheeler lived with a host of Marines. American Marines search for survivors and bodies in the rubble, all that was left of their barracks headquarters in Beirut, after a terrorist suicide car bomb was driven into the building and detonated, killing 241 U.S.servicemen and wounding over 6...