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*Ten For Collin
I still remember the first day I ever met Collin. Seeing him laying there.
I remember feeling that I needed to do something but didn't know what to do.
I remember reading all the daily updates, especially the one about Collin using 9 pints of blood during an operation. The logs told a tale of a remarkable man. Around the same time I received an email about an upcoming blood drive at Ft. Sam. Well I knew then what I was going to do for Collin.
On Feb 16th 2008 before we stopped to visit with you and Collin, I stopped at the Akeroyde Center and donated a pint of blood. I remember giving you the foam hand grenade. When I went back with you to see Collin, you then left to go get Gayle, so she could come back to the room. Well it was then and there I told Collin that those 9 pints would be on me. Since I knew it was going to take a while to pay back the 9, I would give 1 extra as interest. So with the 'Chugster' as a witness, '10 for Collin' promise was made. I don't know if he heard me, but I have a feeling he approved.
On September 17th 2009 that promise was fullfilled at Ft Hood. It is a testemant to his character as a man. He compelled a stranger, a civilian to go and try to make a difference, no matter how small. There is a sign outside the Robinson Blood center at Ft. Hood that says 'Save a Soldiers Life, Here'. If that is true, then there are 10 soldiers alive today because of SFC Collin J Bowen.
Gary Fisher, Texas**
Thank you Gary. You are a remarkable man.
* From email sent to Ursula
** Gary Fisher is a Patriot Guard Rider. He and Gayle Glaslow, known as the "quilt lady", visit BAMC every month and bring quilts to injured soldiers and their families. |
Collin Bowen Outstanding Customer Service Award
Collin's last civilian job was at TMI Solutions where he was a software analyst and developer. They have created this award in memory and honor of Collin.
Anyone who worked with Collin would immediately realize how good his customer service skills were. All of us who are not IT professionals at some point in our careers have had a computer problem. It’s not easy to find a technical person with the patience and ability to talk to us, teach and solve the problem by explaining it in a language we can understand. That’s what, among other things, Collin did.
I’ll post soon some of his fellow co-workers testimonials!
THANK YOU TMI!
"Collin was an all around wonderful person to work with. I have not met another IT person like him. He was an expert in his field, but he knew how to talk to the everyday person who did not know as much as he did. He worked very hard and was enthusiastic about everything he did. In our office, he knew all the federal and state program regulations so well that he held training for us for new employees at one point. He was a great listener and loved to make jokes. He was the kind of person you could depend on to move the project along and get it done correctly, but also know you would have a lot of fun working with him at the same time. Our office will truly miss him but I am glad that I got the chance to meet him and call him friend." L. Vaidya.
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Poem for Collin
by Scotty
Exerts from an interview with SFC Collin Bowen in Heaven
Before we begin what would you like to tell everyone at home that might read this?
“I miss them, and I hope they understand I am home. For eternity they will have me to protect, watch and guard them from this high place.
If ever they feel unwanted, alone, troubled or in need, on angles wings I will be there…also with a platoon of my brothers”
What are you thoughts about coming here?
“I know that I battled to be with the ones I loved so much but in the end I think it was best that I be with them from here.
From on high I can always be the husband, father and brother in a way that I never could before. Don’t get me wrong I really wish I could be there and see my kids grow, love my wife, be with my family, run a marathon……but now they will be watched over and will not come here un-welcomed. I will be first one they see.”
Speaking for marathons, I hear you are going to run in the Heaven 100,000K marathon next month. How do you think you will do?
“I will win!”
What is your job here now?
“Well aside from protecting the ones I love I am on the Warriors welcome committee. We make sure that when they arrive there is an enormous band of brothers that greet them and teach them how to watch and care for the ones they loved. We give them their wings so to speak.”
You were a really tough guy in life how do you feel now?
“Well, first off I am no longer in pain which is cool, but now I feel like I can do anything (kinda felt like that in life too, LOL)”
How are you fitting in here?
“Well, you could not believe the welcome I got. Seeing all my brothers that have gone before me standing there, I knew I was home. As far as fitting in, well all I can say is that yes I am. Even though I miss my wife and family I really glad I got to come home.’
I know you are busy so, any last words?
“To everyone I love, when you feel that weird breeze that comes from nowhere… in that crowded restaurant that suddenly goes quiet….when you get that sensation that someone is looking at you….that is me. I miss you and love you.”
“(oh and the monster in the closet or under the bed is not a monster, it is me making sure you are going to bed)”
Thank you SFC Bowen for your time
“Thank you.”
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Dad's Tattoo
No need for words...
Patriot Guard Rider's Honor Flag
We will not forget Collin. [...] SE Texas PGR has a tradition of remembering those soldiers who are special to individual members. We place their names on our 'honor' flags. [This] is a label that has been made up and will be on one of those flags. Who ever is holding the flag, has a name to remember.
Thank you Gary and Gayle for driving all the way from Texas to Maryland to join us during Memorial Day
Poems For Patriots
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POEMS FROM PATRIOTS
R.J.Pasant:
In honor of Collin and to show support for our men and women who fight for our freedom, I am starting "Poems from Patriots". Write a poem, creative writing, or simply a letter to show your support for the troops.
Submit to:
Pasantpoetry
P.O. Box 142
Fairmount, IN 46928
Every 30 days I will send poems to a new camp, first poems I will send to Camp Clark, Afghanistan in Collin's honor.
Click here to read the poems written by R.J Pasant in honor of Collin. |
Information sent by Shelby Bowen:
True Blue Award
"Loyal to the End"
This past Saturday our family had the honor and privilege of attending the People's Burn Foundation (PBF) Summer Ice Gala. Several weeks ago the PBF - www.peoplesburnfoundation.org - informed our family that they wanted to present Collin with an award, and would like for us to attend the gala to accept the award in his honor. What a wonderful gesture of compassion! The event was nothing short of spectacular and the PBF was so gracious in acknowledging Collin's sacrifice.
They presented Collin with their "True Blue Award". This award is presented to those who exemplify the motto "loyal to the end". The emcee read a very powerful and touching speech about who Collin was and what he gave. The young lady who wrote the speech put forth so much of her time and energy to learn about Collin and capture the true essence of who he was. Our family was awed and humbled by the honor. When the emcee finished the speech the entire crowd gave Collin a very loud, long standing ovation as Justin and I [Shelby Bowen] accepted the award on his behalf. One gentleman came up to me afterwards and summed it up best when he said, "man, you must be very honored to accept an award for a hero like your brother..." I couldn't have said it better myself.
Our family is so grateful for the People's Burn Foundation and the "True Blue Award". We hope that all of you take the time to go to their website - www.peoplesburnfoundation.org - and learn about the amazing things they do. We are truly blessed, under the unfortunate circumstances, to have become a part of their organization and met so many dedicated and wonderful people. Below is the speech read about Collin while his picture was displayed on a large auditorium projection screen above:
People's Burn Foundation presents the True Blue Award to Army Staff Sgt. First Class Collin Bowen
Our next award this evening has been presented only three other times within the last eleven years. The True Blue Award is presented to those who exemplify the motto "loyal to the end." Our recipient tonight defines that motto and it is our privilege to honor him.
In ancient Greece there was a saying amongst the members of the king's guard that "all men have fears…but the brave put down their fears and go forward…sometimes to death…but always to victory."
This certainly could be used to describe our men and women in uniform this evening…and it is certainly true of Army Staff Sergeant First Class Collin Bowen from Marion, Indiana. An avid sportsman and always up for a challenge…Collin enlisted in the army following his high school graduation in 1988. Once there…he discovered he thrived on the discipline and embraced the structure the army offered his life. Collin would spend the next eight years in active duty serving our country with more time in the reserves in later years. Following 9-11 however, Collin re-enlisted for active duty and specifically requested placement in the infantry. Always up for a challenge…he wanted to be as close to the action as possible. He was deployed to Afghanistan…
On January 2nd of this year…Collin was injured by a road-side bomb. Collin underwent several surgeries immediately while still in Afghanistan. The full extent of his injuries was not known other than he had suffered burns to approximately 50-percent of his body. Over the course of the next two months…Collin would endure countless surgeries including skin grafts in an attempt to help his body heal from the full thickness burns that he'd received as a result of the bombing. All the while…doctors worked to fight off the multiple infections that were also taking hold of this young soldier's body.
Perhaps best known for his true fighting spirit and refusal to quit no matter what the odds…Collin continued to fight for his life with all that he had in him. Ultimately however…the odds were too much even for him.
On March 14th 2008…with his family by his side…Staff Sergeant Collin Bowen passed away. He made the ultimate sacrifice…giving of his own life for the protection of those of us here tonight.
Captain Brian Swanner of the Marion Fire Department recently left a message on Collin Bowen's Caringbridge journal that his family continues to update. Captain Swanner met the Bowen family when he himself was being honored as Outstanding Firefighter of the Year and Collin as Soldier of the Year. In that message Swanner noted the special connection that exists between combat soldiers and firefighters…each battling against terrors that threaten life as we know it…each of them laying their life on the line for the sake of their fellow brothers and sisters.
Collin's family will tell you that he did none of these things in hopes of reaping accolades or attention…instead he was a man of iron-will and a fighting spirit who dedicated his life to service and love of his country. He battled as hard as he could to come back from the injuries he received in a combat mission that he willingly accepted and engaged in…even though not required to. He will always be remembered as a hero, patriot and role model for generations to come.
That is why this evening…it is our great honor to award the true blue award to the family of Army Staff Sergeant First Class Collin Bowen.
