ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Thirty-seven years ago this week, Hezbollah terrorists rammed a truck full of explosives into a U.S. Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. 241 U.S. service members were killed, including three Marines from the Rochester area. A memorial service was held in Rochester Friday — marking an occasion that some feel has been forgotten.

“We think about October 23 every day,” said Mike Zawacki, of Webster. “Every day.”

That’s because Zawacki was there. The Marine veteran was stationed in Beirut in 1983.

“It was 37 years and one day ago that I had my last supper with these guys right here,” pointing to grave markers of two fellow Marines, buried at Riverside Cemetery.

Pfc. Craig Stockton, Cpl. John McCall, and SSgt. Alexander Ortega were among the 241 U.S service members killed on October 23, 1983, when terrorists drove a truck loaded with explosives into a Marine barracks near the Beirut Airport. McCall and Stockton are buried next to each other. Zawacki — sleeping in a communication tent outside the building — survived.

“241 guys died 241 feet away from me,” he said. “How do you carry that? How do you let that go?“

That’s part of the reason why Zawacki organized the Rochester memorial. A remembrance is usually held at Beirut Memorial at Camp Johnson, in North Carolina. Because of COVID-19, that event was held virtually this year. Zawacki invited Stockton’s brother and McCall’s mother to commemorate an attack he believes has faded from public memory.

“It takes my breath away,“ said Mary McCall: “I think we should remember all the young men and women who died for this country.”

“You had 40 percent of the unit that represented Rochester killed in an environment and a conflict that people completely forgot about,” said Zawacki.

That’s what the Marine wants to change. To make sure that day 37 years ago — is never forgotten.

“We share that pain and that suffering in that moment,” he said. “And maybe part of the reason we're all here today is to just comfort one another.“