When the marine barracks in Beirut was bombed in what hindsight tells us was the opening salvo of the war against the U.S. by Islamic terrorists, one of the 241 marines and other personnel killed was a friend of John's, Capt Mike Haskell.
In the next couple of days, on bar napkins and between sets while performing in Providence, John wrote the song "Beirut Morning" in tribute to Mike and all the others who died,
"Lest we forget!!"
It received some media attention and John has since played it at many dedications and memorials to the Beirut marines and other vets.
A fellow marine and friend of Mike who was assigned to the White House was able to play the tape for President Reagan and he was moved to write John a letter of thanks.
Sadly there have been many more Mikes since then.
