Jon Eric Bowman remembered by teacher

The mounting death toll in Iraq is being felt once again right here at home. 21-year old Marine Lance Corporal Jon Eric Bowman of Claiborne Parish, died Monday while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, according to the military.

The flag flew at half-staff at Summerfield School along Highway 9 in north Claiborne Parish, where Bowman graduated two years ago. Bowman is fondly remembered as a good student and athlete who talked often about joining the marines.

Summerfield Social Studies Teacher Devona Cowling recalled hearing of Bowman's death. "When I heard about it I walked in the room and looked at that desk because that's where I remember him saying a lot of things about the marines."

During his days at Summerfield School, classmates voted Bowman 'class favorite' and also 'most athletic' for his play on the baseball field. One measure of his dedication to the Marine Corps came on May 10th, 2004 during his high school graduation ceremony. We are told that he left with the recruiter for basic training from the ceremony.

Bowman made a brief visit to Summerfield back in August, just before leaving for a second tour of Iraq, which reminded Principal D'Arcy Stevens of Jon Eric's level of dedication. "He knew what he wanted and he was prepared. And when you walk off of graduation with a marine recruiter and don't turn back that tells you something."

But despite the recognition that Bowman died doing what he wanted to be doing, for all those in this tight-knit community in north Claiborne Parish, his death is no less painful.

From KSLA 12

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