Staff Sgt. Clayton Bowen

Hello,
We would like to express our deepest condolences and also let the Bowen Family know that we just made a small donation to the Fisher House Foundation in honor of Clayton P. Bowen US Army Staff Sergeant. We recognize that this is a humble tribute, but we wanted you to know that it is heartfelt and made possible by thousands of like-minded individuals in the youth hockey community and beyond. We will not forget. May God Bless you and keep you strong.
Sincerely,
Charlie Gili & Family
On Behalf of the US Hockey Players Support Our Troops Campaign

Drill Sergeant it was an honor to serve, train, learn from such a great role model. RIP

A brave Soldier who served courageously for our freedom. Keeping you in our prayers. Blue Star Mothers - Houston

Clay was a dear friend who always made me smile, I will never forget his laughter while he was posted here at ft Lewis he became part of my family we will always love him and he will never be forgotten

Clayton, I miss you so much, and I am still heart broken hunny. I wish I could turn time back and hug you one more time, let you know how much we love and miss you. I am very honored that I was given the opportunity to be your mama away from mama. you are such an amazing young man, and I am so very proud of you for your choice of career. sissy just showed me the pictures of your headstone, and you coming off the plane, and your mama and you. I have been in tears since I saw them. I remember telling you that you were grounded for staying out to late one night when you were here. you smiled and kissed my cheek and said I love you mom. you had a way to get out of trouble young man. every year at thanksgiving and Christmas, we say I wish clay was here with us. you are our family, you always will be. and I thank you so much for letting us be your family while you were in Washington. and id like to thank your mama for sharing you with us. I wish I could meet her someday and tell her all about the times we shared and hear about you after you left us.i love you, and I hope your mama understands when I call you my other son, as you called me your other mom. I miss you so very much.

Just remembering you again my dear friend. Please keep looking out for us from above. You are truly missed brother.

To the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Clayton Bowen:
Always remembering Clayton. "Some gave all."

Hey brother, just wanted you to know they named a room after you, at the old USADSS. You are truly missed! I wear your memorial bracelet as part of my uniform since 2009. It will remain so until I no longer wear this uniform.

To the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Clayton Bowen:
Please accept my remembrance of Clayton on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.

you pierced my heart... I will never forget you had so much heart and determination. You left this messy world on the day my daughter Kailah came into the world can't forget you. I really wanted to see you again gone to soon.

i am late of hearing of your passing. i have wondered how you are doing and i thought i would look you up on facebook.im very sad to read of your passing.. you were a great man and a outstanding soldier clayton.. you will be missed dearly! rest in peace my dear friend. i will always carry a piece of you in my heart!
always.
kuuipo hanson

I went searching on facebook for you. I googled you and found this. I am so saddened to learn of your passing. There was a time when we were very close. I have never forgotten moments that we shared, conversations had, or the first moment I met you. my heart is sad, but I know that you lived the life you wanted to live, you were an amazing amazing man who's voice melted my heart at one time. Missing you and sending my prayers to an angel.

I am a little late to find out of Clay's death. I am sitting in my house tonight and his name passes through my head. Like any other sleepless night i am sitting in front of the computer and so I google his name. It was nice to see that he is a staff sgt. i thought. Then I read on. I am shocked to see the news was a little over a year ago.
Clay was a childhood friend of mine that managed to keep in touch as long as he could. We both moved away from each other and had our "play dates" but it soon ended.
Years later I ran into him outside my work as I took a break. He had grown into a man but I could still see that unmistakeable face that I knew as a kid. We talked briefly, exchanged phone numbers, talked once or twice and went on with our lives. He told me about his choir that he was very proud of, and of singing for some very prestigious people. I could tell he loved what he did.
My father would be very proud to here of his service. He will tomorrow. And for Clay's lovely mother, Reesa, father Guy, and I can't forget Buddy, I could tell that day that I saw your son outside of work that he was a good man. You must have done the best job of raising him.
Im very saddened to here of him passing, but he will always stay with me.

To the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Clayton Bowen:
Remembering Clayton on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

I will never forget you. You are sincerely missed. You were a GREAT Drill Sergeant and DSL. I will always remember the good times we had.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. you will not be forgotten. freedom certainly isn't free.

Your legacy will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew you and shared in your struggle to protect our country and the ultimate sacrifice you gave so that we can be grateful for what we have. Your family, friends, loved ones and fellow soldiers will stay in my thoughts and prayers.
A Proud Military Mom.

To the family of Staff Sgt. Clayton Bowen:
Clayton gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Hey clay i miss you man, you took me under your wing when i got in the chorus, and there were many a night when it was just you and me hanging out. Not a day goes by i dont think about you. i will forever remember you. love you man.

You were my drill sergeant just 2 years ago, I am saddened by news of your passing. Thank You for all that you taught me and my fellow soldiers. May you rest in peace now DS Bowen.

On this day and with each day that we enjoy our freedom, I would like to give thanks and let you know that I do not take our troops for granted. May you experience God when you feel your loss.

Clay,

I would have never thought that I would have to send you this message, seems like just yestersay when we were hanging out at bar and you at my wedding. Boy does time fly and unfortunely it was your time to be with the one above. You are never forgotten and I will contiue to serve in your honor. Thank you for your sacrifce. You will be missed dearly.

My heartfelt sympathy to the Bowen family and friends in the loss of Clayton. I did not know Clayton, but my heart is broken and I am saddened for your loss of such a fine young person and hero. May God bring you peace in your heart as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you hold so close. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers. My heart was touched by the many wonderful/beautiful things written about you. Clayton you are my hero and you will NEVER be forgotten.
I send each of you a hug from the most inner part of my heart.
Love and Peace
Tom

"TO LIVE IN THE HEARTS
OF THOSE YOU LEAVE BEHIND
IS NEVER TO DIE"

The cost of freedom is high. All citizens owe Clayton Bowen a debt of gratitude for stepping forward to defend that freedom. This citizen humbly acknowledges my debt to him and offers condolences to those who loved him.

It is with deepest sadness that I extend my condolences to you on the loss of your beloved.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations, I am sincerely thankful for his valiant service and dedication to our great country.

May the love and the wonderful memories you shared with him help you when you need it most. He will never be forgotten, and your family will be remembered in my prayers.

To the family of Staff Sgt. Clayton Bowen:
Clayton gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Clay you took on a dangerous job for the love of country and for that you are my hero. We attended Churchill High School together and although we never spoke much I do remember you. the bright spirit you are will never die. To his family; you should be very proud of Clay. GO ARMY!

STAFF SGT. CLAYTON BOWEN
You are my Hero may God keep you in hisw arms forever.

Prayer for Peace

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen

To the Bowen Family,

I know there are no words to say at this time, except how sorry that I am. I truly feel your loss and pain. Clayton shall never be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

For those missing in action;
for those who didn’t make it home.
I know you’re in God’s presence you are not alone.
For every neatly folded flag;
for every shattered family
I will do the only thing I know to dignify your memory.

I salute you, allow me the honor
to salute you with permission let me say
even though I hold no rank know that from my heart
my humble gratitude comes from the deepest part.

I salute you .

Every second you sacrificed
I hold you in my prayers.
So with one hand on my heart and the other in the air;

I salute you, allow me the honor
to salute you with permission let me say
even though I hold no rank know that from my heart
my humble gratitude comes from the deepest part.

I salute you.

A Proud Aunt
SGT.David M Fisher
KIA 12/1/04

I am so sorry to hear of your family's loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow. May our Father give you comfort and peace.

Rest peacefully Clayton. I know you are loved, missed and respected. Even though I never met you personally, my husband worked with you at the Drill Sergeant School in Ft. Jackson. Nav misses you and is so saddened - he thinks of you daily. I pray for your family and all our soldiers in Iraq. God Bless those who protect us, sacrifice all, and ask so little in return. God Bless you, your family and America.

Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your Hero, and my sincerest gratitude for his service. The state of Texas mourns the loss of another of it's sons. May God grant you peace and strength.

The Land of the Free, Because of the Brave

Proud aunt of a Hero
PFC Chase Edwards, USMC
KIA 06Apr2006, Ramadi, Iraq

Thoughts and prayers remain with the family of Clay Bowen. I am a Churchill High grad and my sons go there now. The school has a special area for fallen heros on campus now and I thought of him and the family as I walked by this area recently. We will not forget his sacrifice....

Clay was my second cousin and I met him only once a couple of years ago, at a memorial service for his father, Guy. He had a kind spirit and an inviting, engaging personality. I am honored to have met such a special person, and I thank Clay and his family for his dedicated service to our country. God Bless and Rest in Peace.

I only knew SSG Bowen for the few months we were deployed together in Afghanistan but he made a profound impact on my life everyday. I may have only seen him a few minutes a day, but i was left with a smile no matter how bad my day might have been. Im forever grateful for the oppertunity I was given to have known him and will never forget the kindness he projected towards everyone he smiled at. He will forever live in our hearts.... HHC, Camanchee, and Easy company 1-501st. Kushamond, Afghanistan

May you rest in peace Clay. You are a true Hero and you will never be forgotten. I extend my sympathies and condolences to your family. I will always remember you.

I knew Clay well and he was a wonderful man! He will never be forgotten. I spoke to him often and my children loved him dearly. Im very proud of the man he became over the last 12 years. May god rest his soul and we will see eachother again. I love you!

The Final Salute

“Brothers in Arms”, Military men and women down through the centuries, have traditionally exchanged “Hand Salutes” as a sign of recognition and as a way to render courtesy and respect one to another.

This “Hand Salute” is the last that we shall render to our Brother-in-Arms S/SGT Clayton Bowen. To his family it symbolizes the love and respect that we have for Clay. And to Clay it is rendered as a symbol of honor and gratitude to thank him for the ultimate sacrifice he made for his country while opposing enemy forces in Afghanistan. No greater love is shown than a man lay down his life for another. Clay, you are a brave American Warrior, a true Patriot and a national Hero. With your passing, our Country has lost a National Treasure. We bid you a sad farewell. You will be dearly missed from among our ranks. Be at ease. Rest in Peace.

On behalf of the 1,353 members of Lowe-McFarlane Post 14 of the American Legion in Shreveport, Louisiana, I extend our sympathies and our condolences to Clay’s family and loved ones.

Dennis N. Engdahl, Commander, American Legion Post 14
5315 S. Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA 71109

Please accept my Deepest and Most Heartfelt Sympathy regarding the loss of SSgt. Clayton Bowen, with Profound Gratitude for this Fine Soldier's Courage, Dedication and Service to our Country and for Freedom.

May Clayton, Rest Safely now, in God's Care and know that he is a True American hero, that shall Never Be Forgotten.
May the Peace of the Lord be with the Bowen family.
There will Never Be Enough Ways, to Humbly Thank these Young Heroes, for their Sacrifices, my brother among them. Killed in action in Vietnam in 1967.

"And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes,
there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying,
there shall be no more pain.
For the former things have passed away."
~ Revelations 21:4 ~

May you find peace in knowing the love and memories you have, will remain in your heart forever and that this Country Will Remember the Sacrifice, Clayton made.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.

We offer our heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Ssgt. Bowen, and we honor his distinguished service to the cause of freedom and liberty. Sadly, America has lost one of its finest heroes, the U.S. has lost a friend and protector, and a family has lost an example of character and courage, which they will love and respect forever. Today, because of the sacrifice Ssgt. Bowen has made, the house of freedom is stronger, sturdier, and more secure.

To the family and friends, of Ssgt. Bowen, I would like you to know that a lot of people pray for you, and my hope is that their prayers will give you the strength necessary to carry on. Just as you were always with him when he was deployed overseas, know that he will always be with you wherever you may be. In the days to follow, may you be strengthened by the fact that Ssgt. Bowen was a man distinguished by exceptional courage and will always be admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. You, your family and your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Ssgt. Bowen the flag of the United States of America has your blood sewn into the fabric; it shall wave forever in your honor.

Freedom requires sacrifice the protected will never know.

Patriot Guard Rider of South Texas

I was honored to stand in the flag line for this hero. Marinemajor

Dear Johnny,
We are all so sorry for your loss. We
know how much you loved your grandson and how proud of him you were. We also
would like to thank Clay for fighting for our freedom in this country. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love, Mary Talamantes, Maggie Gonzales, Mary Ann Garcia, Betty Crosby, Al Miranda, Robert Solis, Rich Turano

I would like to render my condolances to the family for your loss. Clay became a part of my family, the day he joined the "82nd Airborne Division All American Chorus". It was a true blessing having him in my home, and I truly enjoyed watching him play Rock Band with my daughter and her friends for hours. Clay was one of the sweetest most kind hearted individual I know. He will always be remembered, and sorely missed. Rest in peace my dear friend.

I have taken the liberty of sending notice of SSG Bowen’s death to Static Line, the Airborne newspaper, where it will be published in the TAPS column so that his fellow paratroopers can render a final salute to honor him for his ultimate sacrifice to his country.

Airborne, Sergeant Bowen!

Russ Vaughn
101st & 82d Airborne Divisions

Dear Family,
My thoughts and prays are with you during this difficult time. I would like to express my gratitude to you for Clay's Ultimate sacrifce. He will not be forgotten. I didn't know Clay, or the other Soldiers that were with him, But, Because of Clay and his fellow Soldiers sacrifice my family is safe and we don't take our Freedom or any sacrifice made by these young Men & Women for granted. Thank You SSgt Clay Bowen and your Fellow Soldiers, rest in peace.
Semper Fi
Bill Rosicato
USMC 76-84

Reesa, Buddy and the rest of Clay's family:
We are terribly sorry for your loss. Clay was a great person and we are honored to have had him in our lives. Your family is in our prayers. God Bless you all. Thank you Clay.

Clay was a good friend of mine. I served with him in the 82nd Airborne Div "All- American" Chorus. His larger than life personality and sense of humor will live on in the lives of all he's touched.

My heart and sympathy goes to the family of this American Hero. As a parent of a soldier in Afganistan I know the constant strain of the unknown. May your son rest in peace. I salute you my fellow soldier.
Gods speed
CW3 US Army {RET}

Johnny and Family,
You have my deepest sympathy on the loss of your grandson. There are no words to ease the pain you are feeling now, but please know, you are in my prayers and may God guide you and your family through this most difficult time. Elaine Dolde (Earline, Northeast ISD.)

My family will keep you all in our prayers. My sister having been close to Clay I met him from time to time. I share his service to our county and feel the loss of a brother. God Bless.
SPC Anthony Bass

It was my pleasure to serve with Clay while he was in the Chorus, I'm so sad to hear of this loss, he was such a fun guy, always found the best in every situation. No words can lessen the anguish, but Clay loved the Army and was great at his job. I just don't have the words to say how sorry I am. God be with you in this dark hour.
Respectfully,
SSG Devin Bowman

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family. May the love and peace of God be with you in this most difficult time. God bless Clay and may he rest in peace. I am grateful for the sacrifice he has made for our country as well as all those who serve.

How do we make sense of this loss? I guess we can't, but we can take comfort in knowing that he died a HERO, made a great impact on this world, and is again with his Dad.
Love and prayers for you all,
Dixie

May Gods peace and comfort help you and your family through this very difficult time.

I did not know your son personally, but I did know of him in high school. My deepest sympathy is with your family during this time of loss.

He was born to shine and was too bright for this world. He will be missed by many and was loved by all. I love him and my heart and prayers are with you. no words will lessen the pain however, should you need anything I am here for you. God Bless you.

I am grateful for Clay's selfless service to our country. May God comfort you and be your strength.

We are so sorry for your loss. Thank you for your son's service to our Country. May the Lord see you through this difficult time.