WARREN – A memorial mass in remembrance of soldiers from Lebanon’s army who lost their lives at the hands of extremist gunmen early this month in East Lebanon near the Syrian border, was held at the Saint Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church here on Sunday, Feb. 10. 

Other soldiers were injured in the clash, it occurred after militants attacked a Lebanese army unit near the northeastern Lebanese town of Arsal. 

Community members gathered at the St. Sharbel Church in rememberance of fallen soldiers from Lebanon’s army.                                    PHOTOS: Imad Mohamad /TAAN

The Lebanese army released a statement confirming the deaths of two soldiers, including an officer.

Some residents said the attack occurred after a unit of the army entered the area to arrest a suspected member of the extremist group  Jabhat al-Nusra, who is believed to travel frequently between Lebanon and Syria. 

Chorbishop Alfred Badawi, Pastor of St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church asked Lebanese people to respect the Lebanese army and unite behind its mission.  Badawi also expressed sympathy to the fallen soldiers and their families. He called on Lebanese people of all political factions and religious backgrounds to seek consensus and resolve their differences through dialogue. He asked Lebanese Americans to reject extremism and protect Lebanon’s role through history as the bridge that connects eastern and western civilizations.

A man accepts the holy communion from Alfred Badawi, Pastor of St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church.

Badawi criticized what he characterized as islands of sectarian governments within the official government at the expense of a strong nation that protects all of its citizens and treats them equally.

He stressed that carrying arms should be limited to the official security forces of the central government and the Lebanese army which is responsible for  maintaining peace and order in every corner on Lebanese territory.

The mass was well attended by  diverse community leaders representing Lebanese Americans in metro-Detroit. 

The event coincided with St. Maron Day which is considered a sacred holiday for the Maronite community worldwide, and the beginning of the fasting season for the Catholic community. 

St. Maron is a Christian missionary who lived around 350 – 410 AD. in Syria near Damascus. St. Maron Day is an official Lebanese holiday.