Nineteen americans gave their lives and 78 were wounded in the worst urban combat seen by us troops since wwii. Down battle in mogadishu, somalia, in 1993, knows a thing or. As a country singer, thomas has recorded several independentlyreleased albums. My prayers out to you to keep the message going strong. The harrowing story of black hawk down has been told in books and filmbut national. But for men like keni thomas, who fought in the battle later immortalized in the book and movie blackhawk down, somalia. What it means to lead the way by keni thomas 2011, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. He was part of the special operations mission famously recounted in the book and movie black hawk down. Rangers veteran turned country musician gives his personal account of the battle of mogadishu, which is commonly referred to as the black hawk down mission, and how it started as a regular mission on any given day, to having a few mistakes and then finally falling to hell.
About keni thomas white mountain board of realtors events. The story of the battle, made famous by the book black hawk down. Soldiers revisit black hawk down battle 20 years later premiere. Battle of mogadishu veteran keni thomas shares what it was like to fight in the battle that inspired the movie black hawk down. This book is not simply a chronology of that fierce battle. Top navy seal motivational speaker david rutherford gives speech on the team life duration. The most well known of their combat missions occurred october 3, 1993, when thomas and fellow task force members were involved in the battle of mogadishu that was later immortalized in the book black hawk down and its subsequent film adaptation, for which he served as a consultant. To book keni, or find out availablity and pricing for your event, please fill out the form below. Jun 06, 2019 keni thomas is a distinguished army veteran and former sergeant in bravo company of the 3rd ranger battalion. He is an actor, known for we were soldiers 2002, black hawk down 2001 and sweet home alabama 2002. On the 3rd of october, keni and his fellow rangers distinguished themselves in an eighteen hour firefight that would later be recounted in the highly successful book and movie black hawk down. Interview by glenn woods, kgab radio, cheyenne wyoming go here.
Leading the way by the 700 club black hawk down kenis father was an army ranger. His presentations focus on leadership, teamwork, and the importance of training. Country musician, black hawk down ranger to speak in naples in salute to veterans five questions with keni thomas, a former army ranger, country musician and motivational speaker. Mar 24, 2015 here, he writes to encourage the absolute best in those who are willing to answer whatever call god places on their lives. He also participated in the 1989 invasion of panama operation just cause and in kuwait during operation desert storm. Army ranger who was involved in the battle of mogadishu in 1993. Blackhawk down vet reflects on battle of mogadishu new.
Published on jan 20, 2010 battle of mogadishu veteran keni thomas shares what it was like to fight in the battle that inspired the movie black hawk down. Songwriter, artist, author, motivational speaker, combat veteran of the 75th rgr kenithomas. Who are the main characters of blackhawk down book and movie. Black hawk down convoy back to base can you get to the crash site duration. Keni thomas to present 2019 convention keynote ntda.
Country musician, black hawk down ranger to speak in. Keni thomas, a member of 3rd ranger battalion in somalia. Bronze star recipient keni thomas, who fought valiantly in the black hawk. Black hawk down we all feel the same right now youtube. For more information on the american veterans center visit our. Jan 20, 2010 battle of mogadishu veteran keni thomas shares what it was like to fight in the battle that inspired the movie black hawk down. Keni thomas to deliver the keynote at contractor expo 2019.
Black hawk down soldier tells naples audience about 1993 ordeal in mogadishu keni thomas grew up in florida and graduated from the university of florida. Navy seal remembers the battle of mogadishu youtube. What it means to lead the way is the debut, nonfiction work of u. After keni went to college at the university of florida, he enlisted in the army in 1991 and successfully completed army ranger school. Associated acts, blackhawk vince gill emmylou harris. Something went wrong, try refreshing and submitting the form again. What it means to lead the way written to inspire people to step up and be the extraordinary. Jan 14, 2019 special forces army ranger and award winning country music artist, keni thomas, as he shares his part in the story made famous by ridley scotts movie black hawk down. Black hawk down is based on the truelife events in somalia as well as the book by mark bowden. Black hawk down 2001 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Black hawk down soldier tells naples audience about 1993.
Meet your 29th annual ntda convention keynote presenter keni thomas of black hawk down fame. The highly successful movie blackhawk down is based his army companys mission in mogadishu, somalia. If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be. Keni thomas, army ranger ret involved in black hawk down mission army ranger ret involved in black hawk down, awardwinning country music artist, special operations warrior foundation. From convention halls and classrooms, to the factory floor and the front lines, keni thomas is trusted by. It is his own personal account of the 1993 battle of mogadishu, somalia, the same conflict that was depicted in the film, black hawk down.
Army ranger and chalk fours leader during the battle, compiled several different accounts into a book called the battle of mogadishu. Aug 22, 2011 top navy seal motivational speaker david rutherford gives speech on the team life duration. Apr 12, 2008 keni thomas army ranger involved in black hawk down mission keni thomas is an engaging speaker whose story captivates audiences from beginning to end. Keni s ability to wrap faith, patriotism and real life experiences with a message of inspiration and leadership is amazing. Keni thomas, who was part the 3rd ranger battalion that was involved in an 18hour firefight in somalia that would become the basis for the book and movie black hawk down, will be the featured. Keni thomas black hawk down veteran kgab 650am radio cheyennes news talk leader. Which character as performed by keni thomas was your favorite.
I read the book black hawk down and thought it was. Keni thomas is a nashville country music singer, a former ranger from the battle of mogadishu, he volunteers with uso, and is a christian. Black hawk pilot michael durant told his story of being shot down and captured by a mob of somalis in his 2003 book in the company of heroes. Jeffery dean struecker born march 7, 1969, in fort dodge, iowa is an author, pastor, and former u. Todays guests have braved lifeanddeath moments and now strive to set an example for others as they trusted god for his lifegiving presence. Former navy seal howard wasdin discusses his new book the last rescue, and shares his struggles and victories upon returning home after being injured in the battle of mogadishu. Keni thomas is an american country music singer and former united states army ranger.
Keni thomas recounts his war experience, black hawk down, and tells how losing his friends on the battlefield changed his life. Blackhawk down vet reflects on the anniversary of battle of mogadishu. Keni thomas get it on 12 most heartstopping leadership. Battle of mogadishu told by veteran keni thomas 2008. Thomas was a member of task force ranger as a part of operation restore hope in somalia, and served in the battle of mogadishu. Army ranger veteran who fought in the battle immortalized in black hawk down, a billboardcharting country music artist, and author of the book get it on.
Keni thomas, a member of 3rd ranger battalion in somalia, to. Twenty years after fighting in the battle of mogadishu, keni thomas and. Keni thomas shares his experience in 93 and black hawk. Keni thomas grew up in florida and graduated from the university of florida. Thomas, who grew up in florida and graduated from the university of florida, will give his account of the chaotic battle of mogadishu on oct. Get it on what it means to lead the way by keni thomas. They are creating a short film that will help viewers ask spiritual questions about themselves. It is important to note that the events depicted in the book and movie titled blackhawk down are based on the very real events of the first battle of mogadishu also called the battle of black see. For most people, its a saturday on the calendar and all that comes with the enjoyment of a. Keni thomas, army ranger ret involved in black hawk down mission. Mogadishu that was later immortalized in the book black hawk down and its subsequent. As some of you know, jeff struecker and i had a chance to go back to mogadishu last month. Keni thomas, decorated army veteranturnedcountry musician, will speak in naples on nov. Their mission was to find and capture a criminal warlord named mohammed farrah aidid.
Blackhawk down is a welldocumented and historically significant battle that has inspired americans. Battle of mogadishu told by veteran keni thomas 2008 avc. Who are the main characters of blackhawk down book and. Jeff who is now a pastor, is part of a project called bulletproof faith rangers return to black hawk down. He traded in his rifle for his guitar and performs for country music audiences and us troops overseas. Nov 11, 2014 keni thomas shines a light on veterans. Keni thomas was awarded the bronze star for valor and the combat infantrymans badge from the united states army and fought the black hawk down battle in mogadishu, somalia. Black hawk down vet, author and country music artist keni. Keni thomas the black hawk down story by beyond speaking. Nov 03, 2017 black hawk down soldier tells naples audience about 1993 ordeal in mogadishu.