Soldiers of the U.S. Army Medical Department Activity Fort Drum and 10th Mountain Division (LI), Family Members and friends of Spc. Matthew C. Bowe gathered July 22 in front of the Troop Medical Clinic II for a ceremony to rename the facility as the Bowe Troop Medical Clinic.
Renaming the clinic honors Bowe, a combat medic assigned to 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, for his actions in Iraq while providing treatment to an injured comrade.
Originally from Moon Township, Pa., Bowe graduated from Moon Area High School in 2005 and enlisted in the Army in July of that year. He completed basic combat training at Fort Benning, Ga., and advanced individual training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. In February 2006, Bowe was assigned to B Troop, 1-89 Cavalry, and in August, he was deployed with his unit to Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
On Sept. 21, 2006, an improvised explosive device detonated near a vehicle and gravely wounded a fellow Soldier. Bowe rushed to the aid of his injured comrade, provided treatment and then shielded the injured Soldier with his own body when a second explosion occurred.
He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with V device for his actions that day. Bowe was killed Feb. 19, 2007, when the vehicle he was riding in was struck by an improvised explosive device.
"You hear the word 'hero' talked about a lot today -- in fact, that word is sort of abused," said retired Col. Mark Suich, who was Bowe's squadron commander. "And quite frankly, there are only a few people who meet that (definition). A hero is someone who, without thinking, puts (his or her) life on the line to save another's.
"And that's who Matt was -- not just saving our own troopers, but anybody, like some of our Iraqi partners who were shot," he continued. "Matt always said that he was the medic and that was his job, and he (helped) without thinking. And to me, that means a hero."
Suich took time to address the past and present Soldiers of 1-89 Cavalry, thank them for coming, remind them to keep Bowe in their living memories and follow his example of selfless service to each other and the nation.
"I have three sons, and I just hope to God that they can act with just a little bit of the professionalism and maturity exhibited by a 19-year-old specialist from western Pennsylvania out there in the mean streets of Iraq. We should also hope that America continues to produce guys like Matt. I'll never forget him."
Steven Downey, Bowe's best friend, spoke on behalf of the Bowe Family when his mother, Lori, was unable to find the words.
"Bowe was a hero. I can't add anything on to his heroics or the professionalism that he carried, but what I can say, is that he was a real person," Downey added. "He was a Soldier and an athlete. He was my best friend."
Downey reiterated Suich's call to remember Bowe and to carry on his legacy of sacrifice and wholehearted commitment to fellow Soldiers and to the Army.
After the ceremony, friends and Family Members were given an opportunity to tour the new facility. The Bowe Troop Medical Clinic provides primary care and medical services for the 10th Mountain Division (LI) and Fort Drum active-duty population, as well as Army Reserve and National Guard members.
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