Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has directed that flags on state government buildings—including those at UB—be flown at half-mast on Oct. 23 in honor of the 30th anniversary of the bombing of the U.S. military barracks in Beirut, Lebanon.

In the attack, 241 American servicemen, including 220 Marines, 18 sailors and three soldiers, were killed, making this incident the deadliest single-day death toll for the U.S. Marine Corps since World War II’s Battle of Iwo Jima, the deadliest single-day death toll for the U.S. military since the first day of the Vietnam War’s Tet Offensive and the deadliest single attack on Americans overseas since World War II. Of the 241 service members, 24 were residents of New York State.

“On this somber occasion, we honor the sacrifice of these 241 brave individuals who gave their lives 30 years ago serving our nation,” Cuomo said. “I join with all New Yorkers in remembering their service and offer my thoughts and prayers to the friends and family of these heroes.”

Cuomo has ordered that the flags on all state buildings be lowered to half-staff in honor of and in tribute to our state’s service members and those stationed in New York who are killed in action or die in a combat zone.