Pictured are (from left) Richard Lundie, Kenneth Ramsey, Jan Ramsey, Joy Hutto, Mary Fausett, Carolyn Umbrell, Larry Hume, Mike Wulf and Riichard Roddy.
April 1, 2024 - VFW Post 8904 Veterans and Auxiliary members honored those veterans who served in Somalia, “Operation Restore Hope” during a ceremony held April 1, 2024.
The program was opened with a prayer led by Kenneth Ramsey, Jr. Vice, and the ceremony was led by Mike Wulf, Post Sr. Vice.
"Americans consider themselves to be a compassionate people, and the United States military has a long standing tradition of humanitarian relief operations both within and outside the continental United States. 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."
Wulf continued, “Ultimately hundreds of thousands were saved from starvation, but unintended involvement in Somalian civil strife cost the lives of 30 American soldiers, four Marines, and eight Air Force personnel during the years of 1992 to 1994. The American military had established the conditions for peace in the midst of a famine and civil war but unlike later in Bosnia, the factions were not exhausted from the fighting and were not yet willing to stop the killing of each other and 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."
In honor of the Veterans who served in Somalia, Post member Kenneth Ramsey placed the the memorial wreath. Taps was then sounded as presented by Post Commander Richard Lundie in honor of those lost in Somalia and those who served and survived, but have since passed.
