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5/30/2018 Rep. McLaughlin cosponsors House resolution memorializing the Rhode Island Nine
STATE HOUSE — Rep. James N. McLaughlin (D-Dist. 57, Cumberland, Central Falls) cosponsored a house resolution introduced by Speaker of the House Nicholas A. Mattiello (D-Dist. 15, Cranston) honoring the Rhode Island Nine — the marines who were killed in the Beirut barracks attack in 1983.

The resolution (2018-H 8238), which was approved and read on the House floor on the Thursday before Memorial Day, honored Sgt. Timothy Giblin of North Providence, Cpl. Rick Crudale of Warwick, Cpl. Edward Iacovino of Warwick, Cpl. David Massa of Warren, Cpl. Thomas Shipp of Woonsocket, Cpl. Edward Soares Jr. of Tiverton, Cpl. James Silvia of Middletown, Cpl. Stephen Spencer of Portsmouth, and Lance Cpl. Thomas Julian of Portsmouth.

On Oct. 23, 1983, a truck carrying explosives crashed into the U.S. Marine barracks with the driver detonating a suicide bomb, killing 241 United States service personnel, including 220 United 9 States Marines, 18 sailors, and three soldiers.

Representative McLaughlin is also hosting the annual Legislative Leap, a parachute jump that includes several legislators, to help raise money for the building of a memorial to the Rhode Island Nine on State House grounds.

“The Rhode Island marines who lost their lives in Beirut represent the best of our state and country,” said Representative McLaughlin, a U.S. Army veteran who currently serves on the House Veterans Affairs Committee. “Their service and sacrifice should never be forgotten, so I’m proud that the proceeds from this year’s event will go toward building an everlasting monument to their memory.”

The event, which has been scheduled for Sunday, June 24, at 9 a.m., will take place at at Skydive Newport, 211 Airport Access Road, Middletown.  To honor all five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, each jumper is encouraged to wear a T-shirt representing one of the five armed service branches including the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy.  

Members of the Army National Guard and Reserves, friends and family will be on hand to cheer the legislators as they descend from the sky. The public is invited to attend.


For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922