PORTSMOUTH — The room was silent while the crowd looked on as, one by one, they laid their carnations onto the wreath. 

They were the friends, families and loved ones of the Rhode Island Nine marines, part of the 241 United States military personnel who lost their lives during the Beirut terrorist bombing attack on Oct. 23, 1983, 36 years ago. 

That day had started like any other inside the 1st Battalion 8th Marine barracks, said Lt. Col. Kevin Shea, USMC, guest speaker for this year’s annual Beirut Memorial Service at the Portsmouth Historical Society Wednesday morning. 

Many, he said, were likely not yet awake; Sunday morning, after all, was their only day to sleep in while on a peacekeeping mission during the throws of the Lebanese Civil War. 

“They came in peace to a land at war,” said Chaplain Lt. Commander Robert Lancia, USN (Ret.) 

But the morning’s peace would soon shatter as, at approximately 6:22 a.m., a suicide bomber would drive his Mercedes stake-bed truck into the lobby of the barracks, detonating 21,000 tons of TNT. Shortly after, a separate attack across town would kill 58 French paratroopers, in addition to six civilians. The events of that day would result in the deadliest single-day death toll in USMC history since the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. 

“That loss of life shows that peacekeeping can come at a great loss,” said Lt. Col. Shea. 

Among the lives lost that day were Portsmouth residents Cpl. Stephen Spencer and Lance Cpl. Thomas Julian, aged 23 and 21, respectively, at the time of their deaths. Also among the Rhode Island Nine killed were Cpl. Spencer’s brother-in-law, Lance Cpl. James Silvia, 20, of Middletown; Cpl. Edward Soares Jr., 21, of Tiverton; Sgt. Timothy Giblin of Providence; Cpl. David C. Massa of Warren; Cpl. Thomas Shipp of Woonsocket; Cpl. Rick Crudale of West Warwick; and Cpl. Edward Iacovino Jr. of Warwick. 

“Each one had his own personal story, unrealized dreams for his future, and family and friends that he left behind,” Lt. Col Shea said. 

Their lives, however, were not lost in vain. All of us can learn from their bravery, Chaplain Lt. Commander Lancia said, and use that to honor their memories. 

“Through our words, through our deeds, and through our lives, we will keep the dream of peace alive and that will make the future better than the past.”