#VeteranOfTheDay Mark Jason Bowling

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is U.S. Army Veteran Mark Jason Bowling. Mark was a staff sergeant who served from August 1991 until 2003. Mark served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Mark enlisted in the military when he was 18 years old. He served in the Army Reserves based out of Chattanooga, Tennessee, for 10 years before his first deployment in October 2001. Mark was working in the textile field with Shaw Industries when he was called into action with the 489th Civil Affairs Battalion after the events on Sept. 11, 2001.

Mark served as an outlet of communication between the United States military and the civilian communities of Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. His unit also helped restore several girls’ schools, provide humanitarian aid and rebuild infrastructure in these war-torn countries. While serving in Afghanistan, Mark suffered from asthmatic bronchitis. He completed his 10-month deployment in Uzbekistan acting as a liaison between stateside personnel and members of his battalion based in remote villages of Afghanistan.

After his return from the Middle East, Mark continued to serve in the U.S. Army Reserves until 2003, fulfilling his lifelong sense of duty to serve his nation. Mark currently resides in Tennessee with his wife Laura and son Taylor.

We thank you for your service, Mark!

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? You’re in luck! VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Veterans History Project

This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.

Graphic By Gavin Fukawa: Gavin Fukawa is a Political Science and International Affairs Major with a Japanese and Environmental Science Minor at Wake Forest University.