Marine Remembered Years After Terrorist Attack

Tuesday, October 23, 6:37 p.m.
By Jon Meyer
WNEP-TV, PA

A Marine from Luzerne County who was killed 24 years ago received a special honor Tuesday. Captain Walter Wint was one of 243 U.S. troops killed when terrorists attacked a barracks in Beirut.

A special memorial crystal was presented to Captain Wint's brother 24 years after the Marine from Wilkes-Barre was killed.

Current Marines and other family members watched as the VA Medical Center near Wilkes-Barre paid tribute to the man who should be 52 now, but lost his life so young.

"It opens up the wound again and you feel again what you were feeling back in 1983," said Wint's brother, Lieutenant Colonel Bob Wint.

Captain Wint died when terrorists bombed U.S. barracks in Beirut, Lebanon on October 23, 1983. In all, 220 Marines, 18 sailors and three soldiers were killed.

"You hope people don't forget that with 911 and all the other tragedies, but it's nice to come back here and see people have not forgotten that," Lieutenant Colonel Wint said.

Friend Ken Krogulski helped organize the tribute remembering his buddy.

"Always had a smile and positive word to say. He was a character," Krogulski said.

The crystal memorial will stand at the VA Medical Center with other medals and mementos as a reminder of those who have served from our area and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

"That's what's key that we do remember and that today people are making the same sacrifices that Walt made," Wint added.

That's why the Wint family wanted this memorial placed at the VA, always reminding and remembering.

Ellie