With a message to continue serving by example, Army Ranger Sgt. Keni Thomas, who served in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, was the keynote speaker at the 3rd annual Voyage for Veterans event at the Catawba Island Club on Aug. 20.
Thomas vividly told the story of his five-man Ranger unit in Mogadishu, Somalia like it took place yesterday. The battle was familiar to many of the more than 100 veterans in the room because it was recounted in the book and movie, “Black Hawk Down.”
In the heat of battle, Thomas said, they were all fighting for each other — they were outnumbered by 10 to 1.
Of the original 135 who went in, 18 were killed and 78 wounded.
“I didn’t want Doug getting hurt. That’s not how I wanted to get promoted,” Thomas said. “You have been a part of something where people absolutely had to count on you and hold you responsible for one another. We will fight for each other. If there was ever a time in this nation that we need that mindset, it has been in the last 10 years.”
After his military service, Thomas entered the world of country music and became a popular corporate speaker with his message to “Train as you fight, fight as you train and lead by example.”
“Leadership has never been the rank, the position or the title you hold,” Thomas said. “It is the example you set for the ones you serve.”
The Catawba Island Club Blue Gavel hosted the Voyage for Veterans event. More than 60 veterans from the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky, and other veterans from the surrounding area, attended.
Part of the event is a Lake Erie voyage to Put-in-Bay and surrounding islands. Winds and sporadic rain made for rough water, forcing the cancellation of the voyage by the Miller Ferry. The club pushed on with a luncheon as Thomas sang some of his military-focused songs and other speaker presentations.
The Port Clinton VFW Post 2480 then led the veterans on a formal Honor Guard walk along the lakefront boardwalk. Many veterans took part despite the winds and threatening rain.
The veterans were formally recognized by their branch of service and given a commemorative hat and challenge coin.
The North Coast Tempo Mixed Barbershop Chorus played patriotic music and the North Coast Veterans Museum had military artifacts on display.
Dave Mead, an event organizer with the Blue Gavel, said they are proud to host a day, despite the weather, to show appreciation, gratitude, respect and honor to veterans. He urged them to return next year and enjoy the event with an actual voyage.
rlapointe@gannett.com
419-332-2674
This article originally appeared on Port Clinton News Herald: ‘Black Hawk Down’ soldier, country music star speaks at Voyage for Veterans
Reporting by Roger LaPointe, Port Clinton News Herald / Port Clinton News Herald
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