Veterans Day Celebration

In October of 1993, First Sergeant Matt Eversmann led a group of Army Rangers in a UN peacekeeping operation in Somalia. Having been trapped, outnumbered, and marked for death, Eversmann’s survival and heroism earned him a Bronze Star Medal with valor device. He’s since been immortalized in the film Black Hawk Down. Upon returning from Somalia, Eversmann committed to teaching the next generation of leaders through his experience with the atrocities of war – not unlike our namesake, Colonel Ralph W. Hauenstein. His story highlights the importance of leadership, followership, and responsibility in our age of tribalism.

This Veterans Day, in honor of the men and women in uniform, past and present, the Hauenstein Center, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, Grand Valley State University’s Peter Secchia Military and Veteran Resource Center, and Grand Valley State University’s Office of the President were proud to welcome First Sergeant Matt Eversmann, co-author of Battle of Mogadishu and Walk in My Combat Boots.

First Sergeant Matt Eversmann a true American hero, illustrates the importance of duty, courage and selfless service to succeed when ordinary circumstances become extraordinary challenges. On October 3, 1993, Matt was placed in charge of a group of Army Rangers to lead a daytime raid against an eager enemy militia. Matt experienced the horrors of war when he and his fellow soldiers were trapped in a hostile district of Mogadishu and marked for death by an angry mob. His inspiring story of survival was immortalized in the epic film, Black Hawk Down, which recounts the harrowing experience. For his actions on the battlefield, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor device.