LONGMEADOW – The Longmeadow Veterans Services is presenting, “The Story Behind Black Hawk Down” on May 18 and is encouraging residents to attend the event.

Director of Veterans Services Lena Vellturo decided to host the event following hearing the event speaker, Gerry Izzo, when she lived on the North Shore.

“I was very moved by his story,” Vellturo shared. “I wanted to bring that opportunity to Western Mass.”

Izzo, Chief Warrant Officer 4 U.S. Army retired, will be speaking to his experience during the Battle of Mogadishu and his role in taking part in Operation Gothic Serpent in 1993.

“He is a very positive motivator. Gerry currently works as a commercial airplane pilot, just to check off an item on his bucket list,” Vellturo explained.

On ichiban1.org, Izzo offers a blog post titled “Praise For Black Hawk Down From One Who Was There.”

“Many pilots have come up to me and asked me if I had seen the movie ‘Black Hawk Down.’ I don’t mind talking about the movie, and I welcome the opportunity to talk about the heroism and valor of my friends,” Izzo wrote. “First of all, I and many of my friends that also flew on the mission thought that the movie was excellent! It is technically accurate and it is dramatically correct. In other words, the equipment, lingo and dialogue are all right on. By dramatically correct, I mean that it very effectively captured the emotions and tension that we all felt during the mission.”

For more of Izzo’s story behind Black Hawk Down, attend the event on May 18 at the Longmeadow High School at 95 Grassy Gutter Rd. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the event begins at 5 p.m.

The cost to attend is a minimum donation of $5, however Vellturo said anything is appreciated. Donations will be given to Nights of Hero’s Camp: For children of fallen military.  The funds will be donated in the name of Lt. Col. Morris Fontenot who was a pilot and Longmeadow resident that was killed in the line of duty on August 27, 2014.

“I learned about Lt. Col. Fontenot and his family from a Town Select Board member. This family sponsors a cabin at Knights of Hero’s Camp for the children of fallen military members,” Vellturo explained. “Gerry Izzo being a pilot and hearing about Lt. Col. Fontenot who was also a pilot, it just seems like the perfect fit.”

Following the event there will be a reception at Nathan Bill’s TJS banquet hall at 110 Island Pond Rd in Springfield. Appetizers will be served and there will be an opportunity for a meet and greet with Izzo.

For more information, contact Vellturo at 565-4100 ext. 1403 or email at lvellturo@longmeadow.org.