Country musician, 'Black Hawk Down' Ranger to speak in Naples in 'Salute to Veterans'

Keni Thomas, decorated Army veteran-turned-country musician, will speak in Naples on Friday, Nov. 3, during a "Salute to Veterans" event hosted by the Collier Republican Men's Club.

Thomas, who grew up in Florida and graduated from the University of Florida, will give his account of the chaotic Battle of Mogadishu on Oct. 3, 1993, that inspired the book "Black Hawk Down" and its 2001 film adaptation.

Alongside comrades of Task Force Ranger, Thomas was deployed to Somalia to find and capture a criminal warlord, which resulted in an 18-hour firefight. Nineteen Americans died, and 78 were wounded in the worst urban combat seen by U.S. troops since World War II.

Thomas said he was inspired by his father, John Thomas, to join the military. John Thomas, 77, who served in the Army during the Vietnam War and is a decorated veteran himself, lives in Naples, and was able to secure his son to speak to the club.

John Thomas said he's seen his son speak numerous times across the country but that it's a treat when he comes to Florida.

"I learn from him," he said. "I shake my head and just say, 'You know what, perhaps I should work on that better.' "

After seven years of service, Keni Thomas retired from the Army and started a country music band called Cornbread, which was featured in the movie "Sweet Home Alabama" and regularly toured with the USO.

They released the albums "Flags of our Fathers" in 2005, "Gunslinger" in 2008 and "Give It Away" in 2014.

The band's namesake, he said, was inspired by the "terrible" cornbread served to rangers in Mogadishu, except Thomas said he enjoyed it. Before long, fellow soldiers started calling him "Cornbread," and the nickname stuck.

Music, he said, has always been a part of his life.

"Music was a big helper for the transition coming back because it was something I was passionate about," he said. "And I had a voice. I had a way to express my feelings.

"The transition for me was much smoother because I had music."

Lately, Thomas said he's been spending most of his time touring the country delivering his inspirational speeches about leadership, but he still continues to write music.

In times of disaster, like in Somalia or after a disastrous hurricane or a mass shooting, Thomas said people should take care of each other.

"When you’re faced with a decision — how is it affecting the people around me, or is it me saving myself? Saving ourselves doesn’t work. We make it faster ahead but you won’t make it further down the line. You need people. That’s the basic core of humans; we all want to be part of people," he said.

Proceeds for the Friday, Nov. 3, event will go toward the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, which provides college education to children of fallen military personnel.

Breakfast starts at 7:15 a.m. at Naples Hilton, 5111 U.S. 41 N., with the program starting at 8 a.m. The first 50 veterans to sign up will get in free, while regular admission costs $35. Registration closes Wednesday. Visit collierrepublicanmensclub.com for more information and to register.

"The message I hope people get is that, one, you’re being counted on, and you need to figure out what kind of person you want to be in those moments," Keni Thomas said. "We all serve somebody. We tend to forget that."

Salute to Veterans with Keni Thomas

When: Breakfast starts at 7:15 a.m. Friday, Nov. 3, followed by the program at 8 a.m.

Where: Naples Hilton, 5111 U.S. 41 N., Naples

Tickets: $35; first 50 veterans to register receive free admission

To register: Visit collierrepublicanmensclub.com

Information: Email info@collierrepublicanmensclub.com; kenithomas.com