PORTSMOUTH — A decades-long solemn observance held annually in memory of the “Rhode Island Nine,” who sacrificed their lives in a terrorist barracks bombing in Beirut in 1983, will no longer take place in Portsmouth.

This year’s observance will be held at just one location: the Rhode Island Nine Memorial in downtown Providence, at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23. The memorial is located in Remembrance Park, along the Providence River Greenway between Dyer Street and the river.

Charlie Masterson, who helped with the Portsmouth observance for years and took over as its main organizer after Shirley Zdanuk’s health declined, confirmed the news Wednesday and released a statement explaining the change.

“After careful consideration, and in light of the financial and logistical challenges associated with hosting two memorial services, we have made the decision to proceed with a single annual memorial event moving forward,” the statement read.

The late Stephen E. Spencer of Portsmouth is memorialized along with eight other local Marines at the Rhode Island Nine Memorial in downtown Providence. An observance will be held there at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23.

Jim McGaw

It went on to thank Zdanuk, who, with her husband, Tony, a retired Navy veteran, started organizing the annual ceremony each Oct. 23 at the Portsmouth Historical Society. Anthony died in 2006, and Shirley passed away in 2022.

“While it is a bittersweet decision to conclude our gathering in Portsmouth, we are profoundly grateful to Shirley Zdanuk for her many years of dedication, support and service. Shirley has played an integral role in helping us honor and remember those we have lost, and her commitment to the Rhode Island Nine community has left a lasting impact on us all.

“We will always remember and appreciate Shirley’s extraordinary contributions. Her integrity, compassion and steadfast dedication to keeping their memory alive will never be forgotten.

“We thank you for your understanding and continued support as we move forward together in remembrance.”

Several local Marines killed

This year marks the 42nd anniversary of the terrorist bombing. At about 6:20 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, 1983, a yellow Mercedes stake-bed truck crashed into the lobby of the barracks for the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines (also known as “1-8”), before the driver detonated a suicide bomb. In total, 241 American military personnel were killed in the explosion.

The nine Marines from Rhode Island who perished included two brothers-in-law: Cpl. Stephen E. Spencer, 23, of Portsmouth, and Lance Cpl. James F. Silvia, 20, of Middletown.

Also killed was Pfc. Thomas Julian, 21, a 1979 graduate of Portsmouth High School. Before he became a Marine, Julian used to mow the grass on the Portsmouth Historical Society property, where a memorial to him and the other “Nine” would later stand.

The other victims were Cpl. Edward Soares Jr., 21, of Tiverton; Sgt. Timothy Giblin of Providence; Cpl. David C. Massa of Warren; Cpl. Thomas A. Shipp of Woonsocket; Cpl. Rick R. Crudale of West Warwick; and Cpl. Edward S. Iacovino Jr. of Warwick.

Their names are memorialized in stone at the Rhode Island Nine Memorial in downtown Providence. The memorial was dedicated in September 2020.