A high school sophomore from Patrick County and a middle schooler from Fairfax were the first-place winners in the Virginia War Memorial’s 2021 Veterans Day Student Essay Contest.
The winners were announced at the 65th Annual Commonwealth’s Veterans Day Ceremony held Thursday, November 11 at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond and livestreamed on social media.
Maria Turner, a 10th grader at Patrick County High School in Stuart won in the high school category. Michele Ardner is her teacher.
The essay topic for the 2021 competition was “An American Who Served in the Military following the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001 Who Inspires Me.”
Turner wrote about Marine Corp. Jonathan Bowling, who “attended Patrick County High School, participated in the ROTC program, and joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve after graduating in 2000,” she wrote.
“In 2002, he joined the Martinsville Police Department after earning a degree in criminal justice from Patrick Henry Community College. He also worked as a volunteer firefighter. In May 2004, Bowling was sent to California with his unit. Later in August 2004, they were sent to Iraq. On January 26, at about three o’clock in the morning, his convoy was hit by a rocket grenade attack,” the essay stated.
“Jonathan Bowling died from injuries sustained during that attack. Jonathan Bowling’s sacrifice had a significant impact on the small county and the individuals who resided there. He left behind a clear example of generosity, courage, and kindness, a message and reminder of positivity and sacrifice, and a wide legacy that is still being continued today,” Turner wrote.
“Darrell Bowling, his father, had one request,” Turner wrote. “’As you sit or stand or walk or run through whatever time you have left here on this earth, from time to time, close your eyes and think of him. And as he whispers by, reach out and touch him, and hold him, and comfort him and love him.’”
The winner in the middle school category was Joseph Moreno, a 6th grader at The Basilica School of St. Mary in Fairfax. His teacher is Melissa Manaker.
The full text of both essays can be viewed at https://vawarmemorial.org/learn/contests-scholarships/essay/.
More than 80 Virginia students submitted entries to the annual contest that is open to middle and high school age students throughout Virginia enrolled in public or private schools or homeschooled.
The contest winners traveled to Richmond to read their essays aloud on stage as part of the Commonwealth’s Veterans Day Ceremony. Each winner received a $250 gift card and each of their teachers received a $100 gift card to purchase classroom supplies. The gift cards were funded by donations to the nonprofit Virginia War Memorial Foundation.
The two students were congratulated by U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, Virginia’s First Lady Pamela Northam, and Virginia Acting Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs Kathleen Jabs, who attended the ceremony.
“We are very proud of Joseph and Maria, our 2021 Veterans Day Student Essay Contest essay winners and all of the students from throughout the Commonwealth that participated this year,” said Dr. Clay Mountcastle, Virginia War Memorial Director. “Education and preserving history for future generations are tenets of our important mission here at the Virginia War Memorial. These students demonstrate with their inspiring words, just how important that mission can be.”
Corporal Jonathan Bowling
Benjamin Disraeli said, “The legacy of heroes – the memory of a great name, and the inheritance of a great example.” There have been countless military members that have put their lives on the line for our tomorrows. Their stories and legacies inspire our country and remind us to be thankful for our freedoms. One fallen soldier in particular has influenced me and many others in my community. Corporal Jonathan Bowling was from Patrick County, Virginia. He attended Patrick County High School, participated in the ROTC program, and joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve after graduating in 2000. In 2002, he joined the Martinsville Police Department after earning a degree in criminal justice from Patrick Henry Community College. He also worked as a volunteer firefighter. In May 2004, Bowling was sent to California with his unit. Later in August 2004, they were sent to Iraq. On January 26, at about three o’clock in the morning, his convoy was hit by a rocket grenade attack. Jonathan Bowling died from injuries sustained during that attack. Jonathan Bowling’s sacrifice had a significant impact on the small county and the individuals who resided there. He left behind a clear example of generosity, courage, and kindness, a message and reminder of positivity and sacrifice, and a wide legacy that is still being continued today.
Jonathan Bowling was a distinct model of courage, honor, and overall kindness for Patrick County. After news of his death, nearly 5,000 locals came to pay respects to his family. The funeral home did not have enough room so they moved his coffin to the auditorium of Patrick County High School, where he had graduated from just five years earlier. The following day, many local businesses were not open, and people lined the streets as the hearse passed by. Mary Alley, owner of the Coffee Break, said, “You spend all those years watching a kid grow into someone you’re proud to have around, and just like that, he’s gone, in the blink of an eye” (Morello). Bowling had affected many lives, not only through his life-changing profession, but through the actions he took when no one was watching. He worked in his church frequently, visited elders in his neighborhood, and helped older people load groceries into their cars. Even when his father, Darrell Bowling, a state trooper, reminded him that he could get Jonathan reassigned to another military unit that might be less dangerous, Jonathan refused. His father described Jonathan feeling like serving in Iraq was his duty, no matter how life-threatening it could be. Jonathan Bowling, whether he was serving in the military or simply being a helping hand, was the epitome of a good person.
When Jonathan Bowling left for Iraq, he knew that it was a possibility that he wouldn’t be returning. Before leaving, he had written a letter detailing instructions for the distribution of his possessions and his funeral. The end of the letter was a message of love for his family. “I love you both very much, and just know that I am at peace. So try not to cry, and look forward to the future” (Adams). The last thing Jonathan Bowling left for his family in the midst of his death was a letter, not of sadness or mourning, but of optimism and peace, possibly the best gift he could leave for his grieving family.
Each spring there is a motorcycle ride in Jonathan Bowling’s honor. This serves as a way to show respect for Bowling and raise money for the scholarship named in his memory, Corporal Jonathan W. Bowling Scholarship Fund. Every year, a Patrick County student receives funding from this scholarship, particularly students who look to go into public service. This is a great tribute to Bowling’s memory and a good way to demonstrate his love towards his community.
Corporal Jonathan Bowling was a generous, hard-working, honorable, and kind military member, neighbor, friend, son, and brother. He meant so much to many people in Patrick County. His loved ones have carried on his legacy and told his story of heroism, duty, and sacrifice. For friends who have asked how they could show support and love for Jonathan’s family, Darrell Bowling, his father, had one request. “As you sit or stand or walk or run through whatever time you have left here on this earth, from time to time, close your eyes and think of him. And as he whispers by, reach out and touch him, and hold him, and comfort him and love him” (Adams).
Bibliography Adams, Mason. “‘Family, Police Remember, Honor Southwest Virginia Marine.’” Roanoke Times, 3 Feb. 2005,
https://roanoke.com/archive/family-police-remember-honor-southwest-virginia-marine/article_ b1787f38-3b5c-5d59-b725-77739875f994.html?fbclid=IwAR3FmSs0Pb4yPyVM-7s7IUMt2o6 -Tof2SsIEgW3sLOHLgPIY-RmHSwmLYTU. Accessed 14 October 2021.
“Home.” Darrell Bowling, http://www.cpljonathanbowling.us/home.html. Accessed 14 Oct. 2021. Morello, Carol. “‘A Small Town Grieves Over a Favorite Son.’” Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2005, https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2005/03/25/a-small-town-grieves-over-a-f avorite-son/d858a949-551c-4e89-8c50-74d4eed9ea2b
Saunders, Noell. “‘Friends and Family Honor Patrick County Marine 11 Years Later.’” WDBJ7 , 30 Apr. 2016, https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Family-and-friends-honor-Patrick-County-Marine-11-ye ars-later-377707621.html?fbclid=IwAR2fQx2G74fox4iDFEq33zjF71An4KRc4YrwRWKjmkYU 7ftnPaBwzWo3ZoE. Accessed 14 October 2021.
