Run. Honor. Remember. · October 3, 2026
Kentucky's original & continuous host.
On-site memorial tattoos by Jennifer Kain.
Travis Manion & UA BeaverFit gauntlet.
Replica rifle must cross finish line.
Annual opening tribute to the fallen 19.
Over 20 combat vets in lakeside sets.
Green River custom 19-bottle tribute.
140-acre course & Friesian caisson.
Kentucky’s First, Longest-Running, and Continuous Host
"There is a saying in the military community that a soldier dies twice: once on the battlefield, and a second time when people stop speaking their name. To ward off that second death, our ultimate hope is that one day there will be dozens of Mogadishu Mile events across Kentucky—and we genuinely support every effort that honors our nation's fallen heroes."
When honoring warriors who gave everything in service to our nation, the setting matters. Sacrifices of this magnitude demand grounds that are reverent, majestic, and truly worthy of their memory. Queenslake was chosen not merely as a venue, but as a permanent sanctuary—an extraordinary 140-acre working horse farm framed by a pristine 40-acre lake, 60+ magnificent horses, rolling Bluegrass pastures, and sacred woodland trails. There is simply no other location in the Commonwealth that offers the vast scale, grandeur, and absolute safety required to host hundreds of athletes, Gold Star families, and patriotic citizens without compromise.
Here in 2021, Queenslake set out with a simple, solemn mission: to honor the fallen nineteen of Task Force Ranger and ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten. Grounded in the lifelong dedication of the Chmela family—inspired by patriarch Bill Chmela, now 92 years old and a United States Air Force veteran—Queenslake dedicated these sacred grounds permanently to our nation's military heroes, serving continuously as Kentucky’s original, longest-running, and premier annual Mogadishu Mile Kentucky tribute as we prepare for our 6th consecutive gathering on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
We are genuinely pleased that others have embraced our program format—and even shared photographs from past Queenslake events—to help inspire new gatherings across the Commonwealth. As Kentucky's founding host, our primary mission is keeping the nineteen names alive. We actively encourage others to establish additional Mogadishu Mile tributes in Kentucky, and we stand ready to help promote and share the operational standards Queenslake has developed over the past six years. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and when it comes to remembering our fallen heroes, a great way to ward off that second death:
Founded at Queenslake by the Chmela family in 2021 as Kentucky's first and sole continuous annual tribute, holding an unbroken 6-year operational legacy.
A professionally managed, safe 140-acre working horse farm featuring a 40-acre lake, 60+ horses, and dedicated on-site EMS throughout the course.
Kentucky's authorized Battalion Sponsor of the Three Rangers Foundation (holders of the official Mogadishu Mile emblem) alongside our dedicated support for the Night Stalkers Foundation.
Exclusive home of the permanent 19-station steel & limestone memorial trail, the Friesian horse caisson procession, and the annual Guitars For Vets Music Festival.
On October 3–4, 1993, nineteen American service members of Task Force Ranger made the ultimate sacrifice in Mogadishu, Somalia. We gather at Queenslake Horse Farm to keep their memories alive, honoring their actions through three primary tribute segments.
The ceremony opens with solemn bagpipe melodies played by Tore DeRolf echoing across the central lake, setting a respectful and reflective tone for the morning.
A silent equine funeral procession featuring black Friesian horses pulling a caisson and a flag-draped casket moves solemnly across the pastures.
We stand in silence for a collective prayer, followed by the Roll Call of the 19 Fallen Soldiers of Task Force Ranger, speaking each name aloud to honor their memory.
The 140-acre tactical course carved through the rolling hills of Queenslake Horse Farm represents a rigorous physical challenge testing strength, endurance, and mental toughness.
Competitors face agricultural tire flips, heavy medicine ball slams, plyometric box jumps (such as Super 64 pilot Mike Durant, pictured below), battle ropes, hay bale carries, burpees, heavy chain drags, and a natural water crossing.
Competitors choosing the Ruck Division carry a mandatory 35-pound pack for the entire duration of the course, running through forest paths and open pastures to simulate the combat weight carried during the battle.
The physical trail winds past 19 permanent steel memorial stations positioned along a historical limestone wall. Competitors pause at each station to read the soldier's bio and speak their name.
The 6th Annual event introduces the Mogadishu Cup—a premier multi-division challenge designed to foster camaraderie, healthy competition, and ultimate pride across regional service organizations, military units, and athletic associations.
Competitors, families, and community supporters gather at the lakeside stage for the Guitars For Veterans Music Festival—featuring continuous live sets, food, drinks, and commemorative activities.
Healing Heroes Through Music
Throughout the morning and afternoon, combat veteran musicians and Guitars for Vets graduates take the lakeside stage at Queenslake to share acoustic sets of resilience, service, and healing. Enjoy live concerts, commemorative bourbon, complimentary food, and tribute activities by the water.
Continuous morning and afternoon sets on the lakeside stage featuring Guitars for Vets graduates and a headline patriotic concert.
Green River presents a nineteen-bottle collector tribute series, honoring each of the fallen 19 soldiers.
Licensed artists from Ink Addiction provide free commemorative military and tribute tattoos to competitors.
Complimentary coffee, hot breakfast, meals, and hydration provided through presenting retail partners.
Our event is dedicated to raising awareness and funding for veteran support programs. All voluntary donations go directly to:
Provides direct financial, physical, and emotional support to active-duty and veteran U.S. Army Rangers and their families, with dedicated programs for Gold Star families.
Provides immediate financial assistance, education, and support to families of fallen, wounded, and active duty soldiers of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Night Stalkers).
We are proud to host national advocates, actors, veterans, and broadcasters who support our mission and help lead the event.
Invited Guest of Honor (Unconfirmed)
USMC Veteran, Paralympic Shooter, MC
TV Star (Pacific Blue, The O.C.) & Ambassador
Broadcaster, Founder of Kasem Cares
Traveling in for the Mogadishu Mile & Music Festival? Stay right by the action in beautiful Georgetown farm houses and countryside rentals located just 1 to 10 minutes from Queenslake (292 Soards Road).
1 to 10 minutes to the Queenslake starting line