My name is Sergeant First Class Steven Bowling. I am a mechanic for Bradley Fighting Vehicles in the U.S. Army I have served happily for 18.5 years. You, and your group sent me a wonderful package that I received 2 days ago. I can't thank you enough. It humbles me to see sometimes how much we as Soldiers are thought of as Heros. I have met a few over here. I loved them, and sadly they won't come home. I thank you for very many reasons. The first and foremost of which is that you and your group support us. You may all be of different political, religious, and racial backgrounds, but you support the Troops. God Bless you for that. I don't see our media giving us much support. To them and to many in our Country this war is simply a political game. I will tell you a few real truths about this war. If it not fought here, in 5-10 years you will see Improvised Explosive Devices on our streets, you will see suicide bombers in our malls,a dn schools. We are Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines. We are trained and equipped to fight this fight, all we ask is that you support us. And if not that at least don't think less of us for doing it. I, and my fellow Soldiers see every newscast about some Soldier suspected of doing some wrong doing. Why do we not see the schools we helped build? Why do we not see the bridges we helped build. Why do we not see my Shop Foreman Staff Sergeant Amason who is right now as I write this training the Iraqi Army to fix the new Hummvees they bought from our wonderful Country? Why don't the news people show the little Iraqi children runnign to wave at us as we drive by? Please ma'am tell every one you know about the good things. I love the Army I love the United States of America. Mostly though I love my wife of 18 years, Deanna, and my daughter of 17 years Linda. I never want to get a call that my wife was killed by an IED on the side of I-94. I have had 2 of them exploded on my Hummvee, and a mortar explode 20 feet from me. I don't want any of this to ever happen with in our Country.
In your letter you said you worked with my godfather. Paul Romanelli (I sure scare alot of people with that one, "Hey my godfather Paulie Romanelli is going to get you for that!!!") LOL. Paul, Debbie and the rest of that family are some of the greatest people I have ever met. My Grandfathers family and Paulie's dad's families came from the same small town Roccavivi, in Italy. I know we are related in some fashion, but it matters not to me. I love Paulie as if he were a brother. His family has been very good to me over the years.
I would truly love to meet your son. Is he married? What is his rank, and how long has he served? I will be home in November, around the 6th. If there is ever anything he needs to me he is a Soldier and I would always help a Soldier. In the package there was an Obituary for Harry Martin Jr. I am praying for his family, May God give them Comfort that they had a Hero in their midst. May God be with you. I again cannot thank you enough fo ryour wonderful package. I have shared it with my Soldiers. Please feel free to share this e-mail and my address with any one you please.
Your Friend SFC Steven Bowling
Iraq |
