Elmendorf honors fallen Airman: College classroom opened at dormitory

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jack Sanders
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  A college classroom in the Elmendorf dormitory's Wired Café was dedicated to fallen Air Force Staff Sgt. Timothy L. Bowles May 18.

Sergeant Bowles was killed in action last year by an Improvised Explosive Device in Afghanistan.

The small room centrally located between the dormitories was built to increase the number of Airmen taking college classes.

Higher education was something Sergeant Bowles was very adamant about.

"It was a must with him," said Staff Sgt. John Reddick, 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron and close friend. "He was always on me about getting my CCAF or doing collage period."

The room dedicated to Sergeant Bowles features quotes about education from Presidents Kennedy, Reagan and Roosevelt decorating the tops of the walls. The one wall missing a presidential quote holds a memorabilia box with Sergeant Bowles highest medals, which include the Purple Heart, Air Force Combat Action Medal and the Bronze Star. Also in the box is the most recent picture of Sergeant Bowles and a brief description of the fallen Airman.

"It's my distinct honor and privilege to be able to have dedicated the Staff Sgt. Timothy L. Bowles Community College of the Air Force Center for Excellence," said Col. Mark Chance, 3rd Mission Support Group commander and host for the dedication. "I can't tell you how moved (I) was (at Sergeant Bowles funeral) by the tributes from the family and friends of Sergeant Bowles however, today is not a sad occasion. Rather, it's a happy occasion. It's a celebration of Tim's life and dedication of an enduring monument to his memory."

The room, which is already being used by the University of Alaska Anchorage and Wayland Baptist University, is open for all DOD card holders to visit.

"The best way to honor Sergeant Bowles memory is to use this room," said Sergeant Reddick. "Education is definitely a must and it's something that in today's Air Force you have to have. I guarantee you if (Sergeant Bowles) was standing here right now he would have said the exact same thing."