PENSACOLA, Fla. - A memorial service was held in Pensacola on Monday to mark the 40th anniversary of the deadly Beirut barracks bombing that claimed the lives of 241 American service members. The suicide bombing, which occurred at the American military barracks at the Beirut International Airport, was the deadliest day for the U.S. Marines since the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.

The ceremony, held at Pensacola's Veterans Memorial Park, aimed to remember and honor the victims of the attack. Lieutenant Colonel Tim McGarry, who witnessed the blast, described the harrowing three days of searching for survivors and helping to pull injured individuals from the rubble.

The keynote speaker for the memorial service was Colonel "Caveman" Holzworth, who emphasized the lasting impact of the Beirut bombing on all members of the military. He stated that the attack served as a reminder of the commitment and sacrifices made in serving the country.

A poignant moment of the ceremony was when the name of every person who died in the bombing was read aloud by various speakers, highlighting the personal connection and individual lives lost.

The Pensacola community came together to pay tribute to these fallen heroes, with a survivor of a later terror attack present at the memorial. Ryan Blackwell, who had been injured in a 2019 shooting at NAS Pensacola, was honored as a guest at the Semper Fi 5K race, which aims to support local children and veteran's charities.

The memorial service in Pensacola serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of terrorism and the sacrifices made by servicemen and servicewomen in defense of their country.