Last enlisted soldier who fought in the Mogadishu Battle retires at annual 5K Run

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Saturday marked the 32nd anniversary of the Mogadishu Battle fought in Somalia in 1993.

The military community gathered in downtown Columbus for the Annual Mogadishu Mile 5K race. This event honors the battle that claimed 18 lives and left 73 wounded.

This year’s honorary event was a little more special to one soldier.

Oct. 4, 2025, not only marks the 32nd anniversary of the historic event, but it also marks the retirement of the last enlisted soldier in the army who fought in Mogadishu.

Commander Sergeant Major Reese Teakell was deployed to Mogadishu at the beginning of his army career. His role in the battle was assistant gunner and third battalion in charge of driving the gun assault trucks.

After 33 years, Teakell is honored to be retiring with the unit he started with in a setting that emulates the first thing he went through as a young ranger, which he says had such a huge impact on his army career.

Teakell tells us why today is important to him.

“To see how many people come here, all the soldiers that come here, the community within Columbus, to recognize the importance of that event in that era,” Teakell said. “That gives me a whole lot of confidence that the next generation is already picking up the ball and will carry it much further than we did.”

Teakells retirement ceremony started off the event, and then the race began.

Civilians, soldiers, and four-legged friends started at Dillingham Street, passed through Alabama, and returned to Columbus to cross the finish line.

The first-place finisher led the race with a total running time of 16 minutes and 35 seconds. This individual didn’t just prepare for the race; he is preparing to begin his journey as a future ranger.

Second Lieutenant Christopher Verdugo had a great experience running on Saturday and is excited for what’s to come next.

He told our Destiney Alston how the event made him feel.

“It’s the biggest honor in the world,” Verdugo said. “Like, especially when we’re singing the national anthem, it really just deep down brings a tear to my heart because I know all the guys have lost their lives, and I’m just here to honor them.”

Verdugo was invited to join the Fort Benning 10-mile run next week, but will have an even bigger challenge as he takes off to Ranger School in January. He will potentially become part of the next generation of Rangers like the ones he honored today.

Over the years, the event incorporated helicopters as part of the reenactment of the Mogadishu Battle. However, due to the government shutdown, there weren’t any Blackhawks this year.

That didn’t stop the community from coming out and celebrating the sacrifices of soldiers 32 years later. This year’s event had more participants than before, making a new record of over 1,600 participants in the Mogadishu Mile Run.

Proceeds from the race will support the Army Ranger Lead the Way Fund and Helping Out Our American Heroes (H.O.O.A.H).

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