Critically injured soldier could use encouragement

Sgt. Kevin Downs was attached to our local National Guard troop while it was deployed to Iraq last year. He was the gunner on the Humvee that was commanded by SSG Asbury Hawn pursuing an insurgent vehicle that had been mortaring the U.S. base when it was hit by an IED.

Sgt. Downs was blown from the vehicle but SSG Hawn and two other crewmen were killed. Sgt. Downs was critically wounded. He has been recovering from wounds and burns on 60 percent of his body at a hospital in Texas. The word I get is that he is still in a lot of pain and is getting very weary of the treatments and therapy. I am informed he is at a very low point on a long, slow road to recovery.

I ask that you publish his address and invite all to send him a card of encouragement. It has been awhile since the incident now and he may think he has already been forgotten. I hope that many people, school kids, and Sunday school classes, Scout groups, etc., will make the effort to send him a note or card of encouragement.

Our town and county supported the unit well while it was over there and I know it will mean a lot to him now to know he is not forgotten. His address is:

Sgt. Kevin Downs

Brooke Army Medical Center

3851 Roger Brooke Drive

Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234

Thank you,

1SG Willie D. Bowers (R)

Cherry Lane

McMinnville