Black Hawk Down Hero to Share Extraordinary Story

First Sgt. Matt Eversmann, one of the heroes from the 1997 Battle of Mogadishu portrayed in the epic movie “Black Hawn Down,” is the featured speaker for the 2015 Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories dinner event.

In honor of Veterans Day, Eversmann will speak on Nov. 10 in the Lenhart Grand Ballroom at the Bowen-Thompson Student Union as part of the speaker series hosted by the Bowling Green State University Libraries and its Leadership Council.

Eversmann, portrayed in the movie by Josh Hartnett, was immortalized in the film that recounts the 18 harrowing hours when U.S. soldiers in Somalia were trapped in a hostile district of Mogadishu. Young Rangers and Delta Force soldiers fought side by side, outnumbered and marked for death by an angry mob, until a rescue convoy was mounted.

Committed to sharing the lessons he learned in the military, Eversmann’s courage and patriotism are evident during his presentations. He focuses on motivating people, whether they are soldiers, students or employees, through values-based leadership.

Eversmann has received many military decorations, including the Army Service Ribbon, the National Defense Service Ribbon, eight Army Achievement medals and four Army Commendation medals. For his service in Somalia, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. Before his retirement in 2008, he served 18 months in Iraq leading an elite Army Ranger force.

The Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories event, now is in its third year, will start with a VIP reception at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. followed by Eversmann’s presentation at 7:30. The cost to attend the VIP reception, dinner and program is $100 per person. Tickets for the dinner and program are $30 per person.

After the presentation, Eversmann will sign books, which will be available for sale by the University Bookstore at the event.

Make reservations or find additional information, call 419-372-2856 or email ltatham@bgsu.edu.