Ethiopians in North America to honor heroic Air Force general

Ethiopians in North America to honor heroic Air Force general

Organizers | June 12, 2008

Brig.-Gen. Legesse Teferra was honored as one of the greatest Ethiopian heroes of the modern times after he destroyed six fighter jets during an intense air-to-air combat of the 1976-78 Ethio-Somali war.

Brigadier General Legesse Teffera is one of the greatest Ethiopian war heroes of the modern era. A Washington-based Committee has organized an event in his honor to be held this coming July. The General shall be honored in the presence of family members and fellow Ethiopians. Gen. Legesse’s friends, Air force veterans, alumni of The Harar Military Academy, distinguished guests, members of the former Ethiopian Military and other patriots will also gather from the US and Canada to attend the event.

Gen. Legesse. attended the Harar Military Academy before joining and graduating from Flight Training Squadron. As an Ethiopian hero, a professional of the highest order, and a patriot, he went beyond the call of duty in the defense of Ethiopia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity during the invasion of Ethiopia by Siad Barre's forces of Somalia during late 1970s.

Gen. Legesse, then a flying officer, went on a mission flying F-5 E fighter jet. He destroyed six of Somalia’s fighter jets in an air-to-air combat and on the ground. He also destroyed much of the invading army’s weaponry on the ground during that eventful and historic mission before he was shot down by enemy fire. Gen. Legesse was then captured and suffered for eleven years in solitary prison in Somalia. After eleven years , he was finally released and came to his beloved country as result of a prisoners of war exchange agreement made between the then government of Ethiopia and that of Somalia.

Upon his return in 1988, Lt. Colonel Legesse was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and awarded Ethiopia’s highest order of medal for heroism (Ye Hibretesbawit Ethiopia Ye Jegna Medalia) . For the past several years, Gen. Legesse has been a resident in the Washington Metro area with his family.

The organizing Committee consists of Association of The Former Ethiopian Air Force, The Harar Academy Alumni Association, Concerned Ethiopians, and Artists. Other Ethiopian heroes who did much for Ethiopia including giving the ultimate sacrifice for love of country in line of duty will be remembered during this event. The event shall be held at Trinity Church located on 6000 Georgia Ave, NW, Washington DC, on Wednesday July 2, 2008 starting at 8:00 PM. The committee would like to extend its invitation to all Ethiopians to be present and honor Gen. Legesse Teffera.

To Contact the Organizing Committee: call 703-395-6067 or e-mail: Neaminz@aol.com