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March 24, 2023 - VFW Post 8904 Veterans and Auxiliary members remembered those who served in Kosovo during Operation Allied Force during a ceremony held March 24, 2023, at the Shelby County Veterans Memorial.
“Twenty-four years ago, on March 24, 1999 NATO launched an air campaign called Operation Allied Force to halt the humanitarian devastation that was unfolding in Kosovo,” said Larry Hume, Post Quartermaster. “The decision to intervene followed more than a year of fighting within the province and the failure of international efforts to resolve the conflict by diplomatic means.”
Hume continued, by stating NATO announced the suspension of the air campaign on June 10, 1999 once it had concluded a military technical agreement within the federal republic of Yugoslavia.
“NATO casualties were light, and the alliance suffered no fatalities as a result of combat operations,” said Hume.
Hume shared that two American Army helicopter pilots Chief Warrant Officer 3 David Gibbs, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kevin L. Reichert, died when their A64 helicopter crashed in the early hours of May 5, 1999.
“Now the crash was not due to enemy fire, but two of America’s finest died that day serving their country,” said Hume.
VFW Post 8904 member and Kosovo Veteran Stephen Smiley placed a memorial wreath in honor of those who served. Taps was then placed as presented by Richard Lundie, Post Commander.
“Today our presence is a small, but heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the Kosovo veterans who served and if it were not for you everyone here today, this small band of Patriots, this day would have gone on unnoticed in Shelby County Texas,” said Hume. “The service and the sacrifices of these veterans would not have been remembered and we cannot let any group of veterans be forgotten. That is our charge, a charge that we take very seriously as a sacred duty.”
