A memorial service for Sgt. Kevin P. Coulman, a former State University College at Oneonta student, and other service members who died 26 years ago in an attack on the Marine headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, will be held this afternoon in Oneonta.
The ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Beirut memorial in Neahwa Park, said Rich Marini, of the SUNY Oneonta class of 1977. The former classmate and Iota Tau Kappa fraternity brother of Coulman is organizing the event with the help of other fraternity brothers.
The memorial was dedicated in 1987 and includes the names of the 24 servicemen from New York state who died in the bombing. There were 241 Americans who died in the attack.
The brothers try to mark the occasion every year, Marini said.
Many flags around the city will be at half-staff in Coulman's memory.
Coulman was 27 at the time of his death and was originally from Hartwick Seminary.
Among those expected to attend is SUNY Oneonta spokeswoman Carol Blazina. The campus community is encouraged to attend, she said.
Area veterans and armed services representatives have also been invited, Marini said.
Oneonta American Legion Commander Ben Eldred said he will be attending with other members of the post. It's important to remember the sacrifice of soldiers and their families, he said.
There will be a wreath placed at the wall, and a $100 grant will be made by Marini and his wife to "a brother who has the spirit of ITK and the spirit of Kevin," Marini said.
