The greatest value a soldier can have is selfless service, Sgt.Matt Eversmann said Monday at Cardinal Hall.
"(It) is nothing more than putting the needs of others ahead ofeverything else that is near and dear to you," he said.
A former Task Force Ranger and current senior instructor in theJohns Hopkins University ROTC Department, Eversmann helped inspirethe 2002 movie "Black Hawk Down," in which he was portrayed byactor Josh Hartnett.
The movie portrayed the military experiences of a group ofAmerican soldiers who were sent to Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1993 toparticipate in a United Nations peacekeeping operation, accordingto the Keppler Associates Speakers Bureau Web site.
Kathy Smith, coordinator of Ball State's Experience inLeadership Program, said the university invited Eversmann to speakas part of the program's national speaker series.
Smith said Eversmann's lecture would teach students about theimportance of good military leadership in today's world.
"His (past) experience in Somalia is certainly relevant to (thecurrent) situation in Iraq," she said. "We thought he would havesome interesting things to say about being a leader in a crisissituation."
Eversmann's speech Monday focused not only on his militaryaccounts in Somalia, but also on how accurately such accounts wereportrayed in "Black Hawk Down."
He said the movie effectively illustrated his war experiencesbecause it emphasized the selfless service, courage and personalduty he and his fellow Rangers demonstrated while they wereoverseas.
"(It showed) that courage means doing a job even when it'sscary, and that duty means simply doing what is right despite theoutcome," he said.
Eversmann said one of his most memorable experiences betweenAugust and October 1993 was when his platoon arrived at a four-wayintersection in Somalia, where they encountered enemy fire fromthree directions. When several men were hurt during the operation,he said, fellow soldiers ignored their own well-being and remainedin the line of fire as they attempted to save the injured.
Eversmann said he appreciated his soldiers' commitment both totheir moral and military duties throughout the operation.
"I got to watch incredible young men take it right to theenemy," he said. "They were outstanding."
Eversmann said that when the operation ended in late October1993, he considered it a bittersweet success.
While the peacekeeping mission resulted in a tactical victory,he said, it still cost the lives of many of his colleagues.
"It was bittersweet because good men died at the hands of aninferior enemy," he said.
Eversmann said that while such heroes are now gone, he is proudthat today's soldiers are following in their footsteps.
They too are heroes, he said.
"These are the folks climbing through caves right now lookingfor guys who crash planes into buildings," he said. "It should makeyou feel good to know they're out there."
Throughout the past few years, Eversmann has spoken to militaryand civilian communities throughout the world about his experienceas a Task Force Ranger. In addition to traveling to Somalia in1993, Eversmann has been to Panama, England, Korea and Egypt fromthe time he enlisted with the Rangers Regiment in 1992.
Throughout his military career, Eversmann has received more than12 military awards, including an honorary bachelor's degree fromHampden-Sydney College. For his service in Somalia, he alsoreceived the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantryman'sBadge.
Graduate student Justin Reese said he admires Eversmann'sdedication to the military and enjoyed listening to his lectureMonday.
Reese, who served four years in the marines, said he has watched"Black Hawk Down" and appreciated how Eversmann emphasized themovie's authenticity throughout the speech.
"It was interesting how he put perspective on the movie," hesaid.
Reese said Eversmann's personal military accomplishments hasmade him a positive role model for students, particularly studentswho plan to enter the armed forces.
"He's definitely a good example of leadership," he said. "I'vebasically met a hero."
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