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9/29/2020
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Rep. Azzinaro leads RI-IX State Memorial and Remembrance Park Dedication Event
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 STATE HOUSE – Rep. Samuel A. Azzinaro (D-Dist. 37, Westerly) led the dedication and unveiling of a new memorial to the nine Rhode Island Marines who were killed in the Beirut bombing attack on October 23, 1983 on Sunday. The memorial is located at Remembrance Park along the Providence River.
“The journey to pay tribute to these nine fallen Rhode Island Marines has taken a long time. But, I am pleased that the outcome of our efforts has resulted in a beautiful and fitting memorial to these brave young men who lost their lives in battle defending our country. I hope that this moment serves as a lasting reminder to the courage, bravery, and dedication that was exhibited by these men, not only on that fateful day, but also during their whole careers serving and protecting the American people and our country’s ideals and principals,” said Representative Azzinaro, Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Nine marines from Rhode Island lost their lives in a 1983 terrorist attack on a Marine compound in Beirut. The nine Marines were among 241 American service personnel that perished in the attack.
At the memorial unveiling, Representative Azzinaro was joined by the Gold Star family members of the fallen Marines, several representatives of the United States Marine Corps, House Majority Leader K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick), Lt. Governor Daniel McKee, and members of the Rhode Island National Guard.
The keynote speaker at the event was Gregory J. Slavonic, the Under Secretary of the U.S. Navy. United States Marine Corps Colonel Craig Wonson, a professor at the Maritime Advanced Warfighting School, also delivered remarks.
The names of the fallen Rhode Island Marines are Sgt. Timothy Giblin of North Providence; Lance Cpl. Thomas Julian of Portsmouth; Cpl. James Silvia of Middletown; Cpl. Stephen Spencer of Portsmouth; Cpl. David Massa of Warren; Cpl. Edward Soares, Jr. of Tiverton; Cpl. Rick Crudale of West Warwick; Cpl. Edward Iacovino, Jr. of Warwick; and Cpl. Thomas Shipp of Woonsocket.
Photo: Rep. Samuel A. Azzinaro at the unveiling of a new memorial commemorating the nine Rhode Island Marines who were killed during the Beirut bombing attack in 1983.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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