Wednesday morning started off like any other as Chuck Bowen III met with his buddies to share conversation over a hearty breakfast, January 29.
Little did he know, when a large party walked into Serenity Garden Cafe that they were there to honor him and his service.
“I never expected anything,” he said.
Bowen is a Vietnam U.S. Army veteran who served two tours from 1969-1970 with the 577th Engineer Battalion. When deployed, he was among the Iron Soldiers, who he continues to meet with once a year. The battalion achieved 12 counter offensive operations, and his group was awarded two Meritorious Unit Citations.
When Bowen’s first tour was over, he did something most of us only believe happens in movies. After fearing his brother would be drafted, he re-enlisted to ensure that would not happen.
Bowen earned Letters of Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, The Army Commendation Medal, The Vietnamese Service Ribbon and The Vietnam Campaign Ribbon for his service.
Despite his honorable acts, upon being discharged and with orders for surgery, he had to take off his uniform to prevent being harassed and disrespected by anti-war protesters. Bowen said, “We all made it back, but it was so bad that, you know, I wish I’d never left. But we burned our uniforms ... It was ugly.”
After learning of his experience, Lauren Lancaster nominated Bowen to receive a quilt from the Quilts of Valor Foundation (QOVF).
Robyn Czyscon then stitched together a custom quilt just for him.
He said the presentation was “to special.”
The mission statement of the QOVF is “to cover all of those service members and veterans, wounded physically or psychologically, with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.”
To receive a quilt, veterans must be nominated. This can be done through their website www.govf.org or by contacting QOVF Liaison Susan Young at 828-516-2180.