'The way we get by'

Retired Navy Senior Chief Tim Bowers returned home Wednesday to urge residents to support our nation's men and women in uniform.

The keynote speaker at Wewahitchka Elementary School's "Salute to Veterans," Bowers thanked the capacity crowd inside the commons area for recognizing the contributions of the U.S. military.

"As a veteran of the armed services, it means a lot to us. It's the way we get by," he said.

A 1982 Wewahitchka High School graduate, Bowers joined the Navy in September 1985.

He was stationed onboard the USS Horne, which deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Desert Sabre.

Bowers also served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He returned from his last deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan in December 2007.

Bowers began his remarks by reading a humorous letter from one he described as a Wewahitchka-born Marine Corps recruit.

The letter detailed hearty breakfasts, early morning marches and hand-to-hand combat with "city boys."

"I have to be real careful though, they break real easy," the recruit wrote mom and dad.

The recruit marveled at receiving medals for marksmanship, noting that the "bullseye is as big as a squirrel's head and it doesn't move."

In an unexpected twist, Bowers said the letter was signed, "Your loving daughter, Alice."

As the crowd laughed appreciatively, Bowers struck a more somber tone.

He spoke of an organization called the Maine Troop Greeters, which welcomes soldiers deploying and returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Their intent is to greet the veterans who are going and coming with a handshake," said Bowers, reciting the organization's motto: "A handshake can change lives."

Recognition of a soldiers' sacrifice does much to heal wounds inflicted on the battlefield, Bowers said.

"Pomp and circumstance fades after a while. When the family and friends are gone, it's you all that help us get by."

As a Veterans Employment Security Representative for Florida's Agency for Workforce Innovation, Bowers routinely assists veterans from Bay, Gulf and Franklin County.

Though he declined to discuss specific hardships, Bowers said returning soldiers "are left with that battle mindset, and it wears and wears at us."

Bowers spoke of the significance of the number 21 in ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Guards take 21 steps past the tomb, then hesitate 21 seconds before taking an additional 21 steps.

Bowers asked everyone to "give veterans 21 seconds of your time," by shaking a hand or saying thank you.

"It helps," Bowers assured guests. "It is truly the way we get by."

Ceremony emcee and retired Air Force Master Sgt. John Huft thanked Bowers for mentioning the Maine organization.

He had witnessed their altruism first hand after returning home from his last deployment to Afghanistan on July 4, 2007.

"You go from worrying about living and dying and you touch down in Maine and they're there to shake your hand," said Huft, choking back tears.

Performances by the third grade classes of Huft, Tracy Bowers (Tim Bowers' sister), Julia Bentley and Heather Taylor bookended the program.

The students, dressed in red, white and blue flag T-shirts, recited the history of Veterans Day, sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and the service anthems of all five military branches.

Veterans from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, who had priority seating at the event, rose during the singing of their branch's anthem.

The students closed the program with a rousing rendition of "God Bless America."

The school hosted a reception for veterans and their families following the event.