April 4, 2019 - To honor those who served in Somalia, VFW Post 8904 and Auxiliary member gathered at the Shelby County Veteran's Memorial in Center on March 29, 2019.
Leading the ceremony was Larry Hume, Post Quartermaster. Following an opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, Hume opened the program.
"Americans consider themselves to be a compassionate people, and the United States military has a long tradition of humanitarian relief operations both within and outside the continental United States. And never has this humanitarian impulse proven more dangerous to follow than in 1992 when the United States intervened to arrest famine in the midst of an ongoing civil war in the East African country of Somalia. Ultimately hundreds of thousands were saved from starvation, but unintended involvement in Somalia’s civil strife cost the lives of 30 American Soldiers, four Marines, and eight Air Force personnel during the years 1992 to 1994. The American military had established the conditions for peace in the midst of a famine and civil war, unlike later in Bosnia, the factions were not exhausted from the fighting and they were not willing to stop killing each other or anyone caught in the middle. There was no peace to keep and the United States withdrew all military combat troops in March of 1994. The American G.I. had, as always, done their best under difficult circumstances to perform a complex and often confusing mission. But the best military in the world can only lay the foundation for peace; they cannot create peace itself."
Following Hume's presentation, he placed the memorial wreath upon the Shelby County Veteran's Memorial. Taps was then played, as presented by Post Commander Gene Hutto.
