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.     --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.” ------------------------------------------- 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 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.