When Army National Guard Sergeant Kevin Bowden was handed the keys to a beautiful home in Forney's Diamond Creek neighborhood in July of 2012, it changed his family's life. The Bank of America and the Wounded Warriors Support Foundation purchased the home for the Bowden family. Though there is no fairy tale ending just yet for the Bowden's, there is still a chance for it to happen.
When Army National Guard Sergeant Kevin Bowden was handed the keys to a beautiful home in Forney's Diamond Creek neighborhood in July of 2012, it changed his family's life. The Bank of America and the Wounded Warriors Support Foundation purchased the home for the Bowden family. Though there is no fairy tale ending just yet for the Bowden's, there is still a chance for it to happen.
Sgt. Bowden was wounded in Iraq in 2008 while driving an Army truck known as the Buffalo vehicle. He and his fellow soldiers used the large vehicle to search out and detonate Improvised Exploding Devices otherwise referred to as IED's. During one sweep, Bowden was driving four other soldiers around when an elderly Iraqi man waved at them. The man was directing other local residents in a clean-up effort along the road. Seconds later, as the man turned back around to work, an IED exploded near where he stood. It killed the man and rocked Bowden and his comrades who were nearby.
Sgt. Bowden, who spent 12 years in the Army and in the Army National Guard, and who was on his second tour in Iraq, suffered a traumatic brain injury during the explosion. To his knowledge, the others in the smoke filled Buffalo were not injured. He spent time recovering in the hospital and when it came time to end his tour of duty in the war zone, Bowden said, “I still had every intention of remaining in the military...never getting out.”
Related:A look back at Forney's top stories of 2012
During a post deployment health assessment with an Army nurse, Bowden was asked whether he ever had nightmares. He chose to answer her truthfully by acknowledging the nightmares he was continuing to endure. According to Bowden, the nurse had a poor attitude and said, “What could you possibly have seen to cause nightmares?” Bowden admits losing his composure with the nurse and explaining loudly to her that watching friends die and nearly being killed at war could certainly be the cause of his nightmares. The nurse wrote down that she was recommending he be medically discharged from service.
Bowden was not happy, “If I had held my tongue, I'd still be in the service. But I had a moment of honesty and integrity that changed my life. At the time I felt that my honesty and integrity screwed up my life.” Now however, Kevin Bowden knows that there is life outside of the military, and he enjoys being able to see and spend time with his wife and two young sons. Still, it has not been easy, and he faces yet another obstacle on his road to a normal life.
Andrea Bowden works at a veterinarian office in Rockwall and she is continuing her studies to become a veterinarian technician. Kevin was able to find to find work in Garland as a Quality Control Team Leader at the International Truck plant. However, he recently learned that the plant will be closing at the end of March 2013, and he will once again be without a job. Though he has a long background with and great knowledge of mechanics, he does not have a college degree, and that seems to be required everywhere he applies for a job. Being an Army vet should be beneficial in his job search, but his previous injury has hurt him. He said, “I keep putting in my resumes and hoping someone will give me a chance. I'm open to almost any job, but I have to make enough money to provide for my family.”
The Bank of America and the Wounded Warriors Support Foundation helped change the Bowden family's life for the better in July of 2012 after Kevin and Andrea applied for a new home through the Homes for Wounded Warriors program. Though they must pay for property taxes, they will never have a mortgage payment on the large two-story home. The family have already made friends in the neighborhood, and for a family that moved 11 times in 10 years, being in one place feels “awfully good” according to Andrea.
The Bowden's both expressed their desire to stay in Forney indefinitely. Kevin has high hopes for their future, “First and foremost I need to find a new job. I want, ultimately, to raise my family here in Forney. I love the town, I love the area, this is our forever home. It's amazing to know that we don't have to move again and again.” His son Scott has already signed up to play FYBA baseball this spring, and both he and his brother Ryan are thrilled with their home and schools. Missy, their 5-year old boxer mix dog is in love with her large back yard, and Kevin and Andrea know that whatever ups and downs they will face, they will all face it together.
If you have a job opportunity for Kevin Bowden, you can send it to sherri@inforney.com, and it will be forwarded on to Kevin.
