Blackhawk Down: 20 Years Ago

It's hard for me to believe, but 20 years ago I was in High School. One memory was the tragic events that happened in Somalia. The U.S. was involved with a humanitarian mission to help the people out in that war torn part of Africa.

Many people are aware of the heroic efforts involved during the Battle of Mogadishu from the news reports and the popular movie based on the events Blackhawk Down.

I remember the graphic images of our Soldier's bodies through the streets. I remember thinking why? Why are these people attacking, killing and mutilating our troops? They are only there to help keep order and provide security for the people bring in needed humanitarian aid. Of course I know more now than I did in High School. Our troops there were not just merely providing security, they were there to take out the bad guys.

Last year a friend of mine, who knows I prefer to read books on history or autobiographies, suggested a book to me: In The Company Of Heroes. In The Company Of Heroes is the autobiography of Michael Durant, one of the Blackhawk pilots that were shot down.

It is an amazing account of his time as a pilot for the Army's elite 160th SOAR, being shot down during the Battle of Mogadishu, his time being held as a POW, and his eventual rescue from his captors.

In The Company Of Heroes is a book I highly recommend for people to read.