Lake Braddock Secondary School - Lair Yearbook (Burke, VA)

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Straying over Soviet territory, Korean Airlines Flight 007 was shot down from the skies by a uissile-firing Soviet interceptor in ear- y September. All 269 passengers died, ncluding over 61 Americans and U.S. Congressman Lawrence McDonald, rhis act sparked world outrage [owards the Soviet Union. Several Vest European nations delivered pro- ests over the shooting and in Seoul, light 007’s destination, tens of housands of South Koreans joined pro- lest demonstrations. The Soviet Union [emained silent on the matter for two I ays, then afterwards said that the irliner intruded deep into Soviet irspace, admitting that warning shots vere fired. Weeks later, though, the ilot of the Soviet interceptor admitted hat he was ordered to destroy the irplane. In retaliation, many nations uspended airline service to the J.S.S.R. for two weeks. President teagan was criticized by many for his jniency when it came to sanctions gainst the Soviet Union. As a result of he shooting, the U.S.S.R.'s interna- onal relations were affected greatly, infortunately, this was no consolation r the families from 13 nations who st loved ones on the doomed Flight 07. The Days of Our Lives In trying to maintain peace in war torn Lebanon, approximately 1200 U.S. Marines were sent to the country in late summer of 1983. French, British, Italians, and Americans comprised the peacekeep- ing forces to bolster the Gemayel government against Syrians, Palesti- nian guerillas and Israel, who were un- willing to withdraw from the country. However, on October 23, 1983, tragedy struck when the Battalion Landing Team Headquarters of the U.S. Marines was bombed by terrorists. At least 239 men died and 81 were wound- ed. In addition, a building which housed French paratroopers was also bombed, leaving almost 60 dead and 15 injured. The goal of the attacks was to drive the troops out of Lebanon. In the U.S., memorial services for the Marines were held throughout the country. Americans were horrified at the event and angry that such an event happen- ed. In later months, the U.S. Marines remained in Lebanon as peacekeeping forces, but received permission from the U.S. administration to fire in the event of a hostile provocation. For the time being, the U.S. Marines beefed up security and remained in Lebanon, determined to hold the line. On Tuesday, October 25, U.S. Marines invaded the tiny island of Grenada to protect the lives of 1000 Americans left on the island after a military coup. Six of Grenada's Carribean neighbors re- quested the U.S. action, yet many U.S. allies accused the U.S. of violating in- ternational law. However, to support its action, the Administration soon pro- duced evidence that Grenada was becoming a Soviet-Cuban base. Cuban workers were found building an airstrip, supposedly built for transpor- ting Soviet weapons. Within a matter of weeks, the Marines shipped the Cubans off the island and evacuated the American students as well. The Grenada invasion was questioned by many, since it was held just one day after the tragedy in Beirut. In addition, many found it intruiging that the press was forbidden from the island. After the completion of the mission, the U.S. Marines returned home, having stabilized the government of Grenada. In a struggle for 112 days after his operation on December 1, 1982; Barney Clark, the world's first human to receive an artificial heart, died in his hospital room on March 30, 1983. Although the artificial heart was still in good working order, the patient was beset by other medical problems such as kidney failure, inflammation of the colon, and loss of blood pressure, and so Clark's doctors debated on what steps they would take to save his life. However, Clark’s health rapidly deteriorated. The doctors consulted with his wife Una Loy and it was decid- ed that the heart would be turned off. The official cause of death was “cir- culatory collapse due to multiorgan system failure. On an encouraging note for medical technology, the world’s first mechanical heart- recipient survived six times longer than the first heart transplant patient. And although Barney Clark suffered, his gallant efforts were summed up by these words: If I can make a contribu- tion. my life will count for something. Current Events 325

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BRADDOCK ETTES V ft HA Dqq m Ci i % SAFETY COUNCIL V Division 327