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Injured soldier returns to Valley

Aug-19-2004 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

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Bowker said he is 'just happy to be home ... just happy to be alive.'

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN, VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

LORDSTOWN — "He looks good ... real good," a relieved Rachael Bowker said of her husband, Army Reserve Spec. Robert Bowker, who arrived home early Wednesday after being seriously injured July 26 in a suicide car bombing at a U.S. base near Mosul, Iraq.

Holding hands, the young couple sat on the front porch of the home of Rachael's mother, Sherry Kohn, in Warren and talked about his experience in Iraq and of seeing each other for the first time since he was wounded.

While he smiled a lot and is looking well, Robert, 22, is still taking pain medication for his injuries, and will need more surgery to repair his left ear and eardrum and may need skin grafts. He has shrapnel in his right eyebrow and the inside of his left elbow, which he said will eventually work its way out.

He also has a divot on the top of his left hand and wounds on both legs that require bandages.

"His cuts look nasty. I hate looking at them," Rachael said.

But for now, Robert said: "I'm just happy to be home ... happy to be alive. I got lucky. I survived."


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