Empty Chair Update - Mark Bowman

October 15. 2009: Mark is home.  See the videos    

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May 10, 2009:  Thanks to Bob (Cooter) Boucher for sending along this photo Command Sergeant Major (and ACWSA Member) Mark Bowman. 

Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Mark Bowman (on right) usually teaches military science at Illinois Institute of Technology, but he’s been deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan since November, 2008.  He’s also a member of the ACWSA’s 56^th Virginia team.  The ACWSA carries all it’s deployed members on It’s roster without charging membership dues until they return.   

 
Brigadier General Steven P. Huber and Command Sergeant Major Mark Bowman uncase the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Illinois Army National Guard, colors in a Transfer of Authority ceremony at Camp Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan. The unit’s colors are cased prior to mobilization until the ceremony concludes, which marks the beginning of the 33rd IBCT’s tour of command of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VIII. From January 2009 edition of "The Enduring Ledger",  A publication of the Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan.  Photo by SPC Luke S. Austin

 Other coverage of Mark’s deployment:

 President Obama spoke with CSM Bowman live, via satellite, from Afghanistan during his Inaugural Ball.  After exchanging greetings and making some introductions, they debated the Cubs and White Sox.   Transcript of talk with President Obama:  http://www.votesmart.org/speech_detail.php?sc_id=436891&keyword=&phrase=&contain=#

http://miserabledonuts.blogspot.com/2006/02/egyptian-doctor-pickup.html

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-afghan-guard_barkerjan21,0,7155139.story