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.  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  Somali civil strife cost the lives of thirty American Soldiers, four Marines, and eight Air Force personnel during the years of 1992 and 1995.

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 killing each other and anyone caught in the middle. There was no peace to keep and the United States pulled all combat troops out in March 1994.  The American GI 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.

Shelby County Memorial VFW Post 8904 and the Ladies Auxiliary will conduct a wreath laying at the Veterans Memorial on the grounds of the Historic Courthouse, Tuesday, March 31st at 10:00 am in honor of those who served during this time in Somalia.  As always the public is invited.  Any veteran
who served in Somalia during this time is encouraged to contact Post Quartermaster Larry Hume at 598-2976.