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 2^nd 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 14^th 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.