'Black Hawk Down' Hero to Headline Heartland

WATERLOO, Iowa — Matthew Eversmann, the real-life hero of the Battle of Mogadishu who was portrayed in the movie "Black Hawk Down," will be the keynote speaker at VGM's 2011 Heartland Conference next month.

Played by Josh Hartnett in the movie about the 1993 18-hour battle in the most hostile part of Somalia, Eversmann will speak to attendees June 7 on "Dedication, Pride and Commitment." Eversmann is the founder and president of Freeman Phillips LLC, a leadership development company, and the author of "The Battle of Mogadishu" (2004).

The 10th Heartland Conference will be held June 6-9 at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in Waterloo, Iowa, VGM's hometown. For information, see www.vgmheartland.com.