Motorcycle riders, Derry walkers to honor local Army Ranger, 2 others killed in Battle of Mogadishu

Angie Burd and members of her family will lead the way Saturday as a group of motorcycle riders takes a patriotic road trip from Hempfield to Derry Borough.

They’ll be at the forefront of the sixth annual Fallen Hero Ride — an event that will honor her uncle, Derry native Sgt. 1st Class Earl Fillmore, and two other Pennsylvania soldiers who were killed in action on Oct. 3, 1993, in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Burd, who retired from the Army in 2021 as a master sergeant, was inspired by her uncle to join the military.

“I think it’s just amazing that, after 30 years, there are still so many organizations and community members out there who want to honor our fallen heroes and keep their memories alive,” said Burd, who lives near Latrobe. “The ongoing support means so much to me. It never dies.”

Tony Aubrey is a member of the Monroeville-based volunteer organization Operation Vet NOW that coordinates the annual rides that begin and end at the Z&M Harley-Davidson dealership in Hempfield. The trips pause midway for a ceremony to remember a chosen group of fallen soldiers.

When the 30-year anniversary of the Battle of Mogadishu arrived last October, Aubrey knew the next ride should be dedicated to the three Pennsylvania residents who were among soldiers who gave up their lives in the mission portrayed in the “Black Hawk Down” book and film.

“The event is open to everyone in the community and is an opportunity to learn more about helping veterans and to honor service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,” said Aubrey.

This year’s event includes an added opportunity for those who want to show their support but don’t ride. Operation Vet NOW has organized a Mogadishu Mile memorial walk that will begin at 11 a.m. in the parking lot of Derry Community Park and will make a circuit around four blocks in the borough.

The walkers will return to the park, where the motorcycle riders are expected to arrive at about 11:30 a.m. for a ceremony at the Fillmore monument.

Burd will be riding with her husband, Aaron, on one of the motorcycles while their daughter, Gabi, 19, will be the passenger of an American Legion Rider. The ride also will include two Derry residents: Burd’s uncle, Al Schmucker, and his passenger and sister-in-law, Mary Vallorani — one of Fillmore’s six older sisters.

Sharon Schmucker, Al’s wife and another of the Fillmore siblings, planned to freshen the decorations at her brother’s monument in time for Saturday’s event.

“I think it’s going to be beautiful,” she said of the ceremony. “I’m really looking forward to it. It’s going to be emotional, I know that.

“A lot of our friends are going to be attending, and a lot of them are going to be walking the mile. We’re looking forward to meeting a lot of people and just memorializing these three. Of course, we’ll be thinking of all the other families and their fallen sons.”

Fillmore, 28; Cpl. Richard W. Kowalewski, 20, of Crucible, Greene County; and Sgt. 1st Class Randall D. Shughart, 35, of Newville, Cumberland County, were among 18 U.S. service members killed in the Mogadishu battle.

Having served in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield, Fillmore was assigned as an Army medic with Task Force Ranger when he was killed in Mogadishu. He was among Rangers fighting their way to reach the crash site of a downed Black Hawk helicopter.

Fillmore’s posthumous military awards have included the Silver Star, for distinguished gallantry, and — in recognition of extraordinary heroism — the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army’s second-highest decoration.

Kowalewski also was killed when his convoy was attacked during an attempt to rescue downed helicopter crew members. He was awarded the Bronze Star for valor.

Shughart was fatally wounded while providing protective fire for the downed crew. He was awarded the Medal of Honor.

“Mogadishu Mile” refers to a route that was run by Army Rangers and Special Forces soldiers from the helicopter crash site to a rally point.

“We’re hoping for the community close by to participate in the walk,” said Aubrey. “There’s no cost to walk. Anyone under 16 will have to be with an adult.”

Registration for the walk or the ride can be done in advance, under the “Events” heading at opvetnow.org, or on Saturday — from 8:30 to 10 a.m. for the ride and beginning at 10 a.m. for the walk. The fee for the ride is $30 per bike.

From 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., a Veterans Village at the Z&M lot will feature food trucks, a display of military vehicles and outreach information from veteran support organizations. Task Force Rock, an all-veteran band including a retired state trooper, will perform.

“When we started, we had five organizations participating,” Aubrey said. “Now we’ve got over 50.”

Those organizations align with Operation Vet NOW’s mission of connecting veterans with programs and services focused on improving their mental and physical wellness.

Awareness and prevention of suicide among veterans is one of the group’s chief concerns, according to Aubrey.

“It is because of the high number of veterans with the invisible injuries that they carried home or realized later, and the high rates of veteran suicide, that Operation Veteran NOW was formed,” he said.

Among those slated to speak during Saturday’s event is Army Col. (Retired) Mike Blahovec of Greensburg. His assignments abroad included a year-long deployment conducting convoy and route security and overseeing all detention operations in Iraq.