In Memory of Staff Sergeant Collin J. Bowen, Sergeant Shawn F. Hill and Durango

Collin J. Bowen was injured in Afghanistan on January 2, 2008.  It hardly seems possible that a year has gone by since then.  I first came to know of Collin through a support group, Soldiers' Angel's. 

I followed Collin's progress online through his CaringBridge website.  His family told of his determination

to not give in to his injuries.  Of all the wonderful support they and he were receiving.  They shared those wonderful memories of Collin's childhood and his years spent in the military.  They painted a picture of the man who wore the uniform, of the husband, father, son and daddy!  A man who lived life to the fullest.

Today, I received notice of another posting on his CaringBridge website.  Upon reading it, I felt compelled to remind our readers of the many heroes who have sacrificed so much.  To read about Collin and his story, you can find his CaringBridge site here.

I also wanted to remind you of two other men who gave their all that day in Afghanistan, Shawn F. Hill and their interpretor, Durango.

You can find a good article here on Sgt. Hill about the dedication ceremony for a street named in his honor.  Sgt. Hill elected to go over to Afghanistan, he made a choice.  Sgt. Hill's platoon commander offers this bit of insight into another hero.

"He was a man with a kind heart. Even though he was so huge in stature, he had a soft heart. He was the glue. And every unit has the glue that holds it together," said Master Sgt. John Wright, who was Hill's platoon commander in Iraq.

There is a video that Collin shot while over in Afghanistan that includes Sgt. Hill......"he can bench-press a humvee."

Here is a video of Durango!

May we never forget the true heroes who live among us and those who have given their all to protect us from the monsters who are out there!

MsMarti.  Copyright 2008-2009  All rights reserved.