Times-Journal
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Michael Durant was the pilot of Black Hawk helicopter Super 64 that was shot down in Mogadishu, Somalia, in October 1993.
The sole survivor of the crash, he was held prisoner for 11 days. He suffered a broken back, leg, face and gunshot wounds.
The story was depicted in a book and the movie, “Black Hawk Down.”
Today, he travels the country, using his experiences as an Army aviator to give motivation and inspiration to others.
“What I’ve tried to do is take the key components of Special Operations and military, in general, and translate that into my speaking,” Durant said. “They are fundamentals that can be utilized successfully in business, on a personal level and other things people do.”
In speaking at the American Values Boy Scout dinner, Durant said scouting teaches many of those same principles.
“A lot of what scouting teaches is value and leadership,” Durant said. “It’s easy to tie all of those things together.”
Durant has been doing speaking engagements since Somalia, but said things really ramped up about 10 years ago.
He said he often uses his experience as a POW in Somalia in his lectures and will touch on some of that at the dinner.
“I probably won’t get into great detail, because there isn’t a lot of time, but I’ll touch on some aspects of my personal story,” Durant said.
He said the dinner would be beneficial to anyone who comes.
“Whether any of us are successful or not doesn’t matter,” Durant said. “We should all be seeking self-improvement and ways to do better as role models and leaders. By applying the principles I will talk about, I believe it will help people be more successful.”
Durant is president of Pinnacle Solutions, Inc., a simulation and training company, based in Huntsville.
The dinner is Tuesday at 6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Fort Payne.
There is no admission charge, but the dinner does serve as a fundraiser for the Boy Scouts. Those attending will have a chance to make a donation if they choose.
Western Sizzlin will cater the dinner.