Heroism in America
George Washington once said, “Any post is honorable in which a man can serve his country.” When the idea of service comes to mind, many think of the military. How noble a cause that is, sacrificing one’s time and, in some instances, one’s life for a cause greater than self. Recently, Crawfordsville lost one of her sons in the service of his country. His name was Specialist Brian Bowman.
Brian Bowman was born July 24, 1985 here in Crawfordsville, Indiana. He graduated from Southmont High School in 2004 and joined the United States Army in August of 2006. During his career, he was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, and the Combat Medic Badge. In January of last year he was stationed with the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, headquartered at Fort Carson, Colorado. The unit was deployed to Afghanistan in May of last year. His death and that of two teammates were the result of improvised explosive devices and heavy fire coming from insurgents. The service Mr. Bowman has rendered for his country can never be repaid. He was described by many here in Crawfordsville as a beloved member of the local community.
Wabash College, as well as Crawfordsville, has a rich tradition of service, from General Lew Wallace to Charles D. Herron. Some return home, though sadly some do not. Regardless of one’s personal stance on war in general or a specific war in particular, the option of serving in the military is to be respected and not taken lightly. The honor that comes with such a post is unlike any prestige associated with any other organization or institution.
Stemming from personal experience, I have known a great many who’ve taken up the call to duty. As I write this, my cousin Lance Corporal Eric L. Altergott has arrived in the Mediterranean before heading for Afghanistan. He is currently in the service of the United States Marine Corps as a jet mechanic. Among the many aircraft he repairs is the Harrier, capable of vertical takeoff and landing. My family could not be more proud of him.
Many of my high school classmates answered the call as well; some enlisted in the Army and Marine Corps, and another was accepted to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He is currently on the Navy Midshipman football team. Another close friend is enrolled at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. The two academy men will have the unique experience of becoming officers in our nation’s military. Whether you enter the military with hopes of its helping your education or having the experience itself be your education, you cannot lose.
A lot can happen in the time we are here at Wabash. Those who started their careers in the last years of the 1990s could probably not have foreseen the events of September 11, 2001, or the impact it would have on our national security. Certain individuals believed their country needed them and joined its armed forces. Some of these people have perished; others survived. Specialist Brian Bowman joined the fight. How could he possibly have known how it would turn out? The chance of death is always there during war, and his sacrifice is unfortunately not an uncommon occurrence in a war like Afghanistan. But it was not an unnecessary one. His death served as a reminder of mortality and of the courage needed to operate in danger’s path. Mr. Bowman is one of our nation’s heroes.
Whether you agree with the wars or not, we must respect and honor those who put themselves at risk for a greater cause than self. Maybe service is something you will consider immediately or later on after Wabash. Part of the proud history of America is the rich tradition of service that we see every day. If you get a chance, thank a soldier or a veteran. It’s people like Brian Bowman that show us what it means to always fight. We must never forget him.
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