thedrifter
05-14-08, 10:54 AM
May 14, 2008
Marine can attend his high school graduation
Cory de Vera
News-Leader
Kim Smith will get to see her son James Bowen graduate from Willard High School after all.
Bowen had acquired his high school credits by the end of the first semester and gone off to Marine boot camp in January, about a month earlier than he originally planned. He and his mother had understood from his recruiter that attending and finishing the boot camp that began in January wouldn't interfere with Bowen's desire to attend his high school graduation this Friday, said Smith.
But then Bowen's request to come back was denied. Smith called the News-Leader upset and feeling that the Marines had broken a promise.
Smith said Bowen called her Tuesday to say he would, in fact, be flying home Thursday night. He'd done well enough at his combat training that he was able to test out a few days early, she said.
"I got goose bumps when he called," said Smith.
Now, several relatives are preparing to come for the ceremony. The Marines are paying for her son's trip home, and he will be able to receive his diploma in uniform.
On Sunday night, he'll leave for Florida to begin training for his specific job as an aviation electronics technician.
Sgt. Jeffrey Everitt, the public affairs specialist from Kansas City, was not available for comment. But earlier, when he heard about Bowen's situation, he began making calls to see if there was any way possible for Bowen to come home.
Willard Principal Stewart Pratt had not heard whether or not Bowen would be coming back. He said earlier in the day that graduation exercises would include special recognition for seven seniors who either had just completed boot camp or who had signed up for military service. If Bowen couldn't come home, the school was going to allow Smith to accept his diploma at the ceremony.
About 260 seniors are expected to graduate from Willard High School on Friday. Ceremonies begin at 7:30 p.m. Pratt said they are scheduled to take place in the stadium, though school leaders are watching the weather to see whether they should be moved inside.
Ellie
Marine can attend his high school graduation
Cory de Vera
News-Leader
Kim Smith will get to see her son James Bowen graduate from Willard High School after all.
Bowen had acquired his high school credits by the end of the first semester and gone off to Marine boot camp in January, about a month earlier than he originally planned. He and his mother had understood from his recruiter that attending and finishing the boot camp that began in January wouldn't interfere with Bowen's desire to attend his high school graduation this Friday, said Smith.
But then Bowen's request to come back was denied. Smith called the News-Leader upset and feeling that the Marines had broken a promise.
Smith said Bowen called her Tuesday to say he would, in fact, be flying home Thursday night. He'd done well enough at his combat training that he was able to test out a few days early, she said.
"I got goose bumps when he called," said Smith.
Now, several relatives are preparing to come for the ceremony. The Marines are paying for her son's trip home, and he will be able to receive his diploma in uniform.
On Sunday night, he'll leave for Florida to begin training for his specific job as an aviation electronics technician.
Sgt. Jeffrey Everitt, the public affairs specialist from Kansas City, was not available for comment. But earlier, when he heard about Bowen's situation, he began making calls to see if there was any way possible for Bowen to come home.
Willard Principal Stewart Pratt had not heard whether or not Bowen would be coming back. He said earlier in the day that graduation exercises would include special recognition for seven seniors who either had just completed boot camp or who had signed up for military service. If Bowen couldn't come home, the school was going to allow Smith to accept his diploma at the ceremony.
About 260 seniors are expected to graduate from Willard High School on Friday. Ceremonies begin at 7:30 p.m. Pratt said they are scheduled to take place in the stadium, though school leaders are watching the weather to see whether they should be moved inside.
Ellie