Black Hawk Down veteran gives back with a band

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A special operations army veteran who lives in New Hanover County, was one of the survivors of the 1993 military operation, Black Hawk Down.  

Now, he’s featured in a Netflix documentary, and he’s created a band that gives back to the community.  

We caught up with him Friday to discuss his journey. 

“Anybody can do it, if I can do it, anybody can do it,” Brad Thomas said. 

Special operations army veteran Brad Thomas was a part of the U.S. military mission known as Black Hawk Down in 1993.  

“We did 7 operations in total, the last one being what was depicted in Black Hawk Down the movie, so we lost in total 19 service members and 18 hours of fighting,” Thomas stated.  

After 20 years of service, Thomas retired but found himself searching for a new purpose.  

“What if we put a band together, what if we do something with music and we take the royalties and give them to charitable organizations that help first responders, veterans and people that need help,” Thomas exclaimed.  

That idea led to the creation of Silence & Light, an alternative rock band consisting of former military members. The proceeds from streaming, downloads, and music sales are donated to charitable organizations.  

“Just because you have something that’s been very dark and very negative in your life. You can turn that around, you can do something healthy, positive, creative to give back to the community and the sense of reward is tremendous,” Thomas shared. 

Thomas is also featured in a Netflix documentary — Surviving Black Hawk Down — which tells the story of the Battle of Mogadishu.  

“I didn’t know if I was going to be in the documentary or not until it was all done. They said hey you are significant participant in the documentary, we think you are really going to like it and thank you for being a part of it. Honored to be a part of it,” Thomas said.  

Thomas adds if you want to support veterans and first responders you can buy their music from any streaming service and buy their merchandise.