The U.S. Marines come to Beirut in August 1982 and depart in February 1984. Friedman says the one thing he will never forget is the number of people worried that the Marines are not eating right and sending food. There are hamburgers, burritos, chocolate chip cookies and every kind of cookie being sent. Friedman remembers always munching on the goodies that are sent to the troops. In actuality, the first person who wants U.S. troops in Beirut is Yasir Arafat who wants the Americans to be there with the French and the Italians as the PLO departs from Beirut. Arafat is worried about his own safety along with his PLO group and wants the Americans as protection against an Israeli attack.
The troops arrive on August 25, 1982 and.....
