Staff Writer

Capt. Darren Fowler was armed with notes and a slide show as he prepared to speak about his career in the Army for Sims Jr. High School students.

But as he entered the crowded gymnasium Friday afternoon and saw figures from his past, Fowler figured out the day wasn't just about taking part in the South Carolina Education Economic Development Act focus on careers. It was Capt. Darren Fowler Day at the school where his wife, Alyssa, teaches.

“The principal told me to talk about my profession, what I did in Iraq and about being in the ROTC,” he said. “As far as Capt. Fowler Day, I wasn't expecting that. It was a very humbling.”

Mrs. Fowler said she, too, was surprised.

“I had no idea,” she said. “I was really proud of him.”

Jim Palmer, school guidance counselor, said he and other staff members wanted to do something to recognize the couple. He said Mrs. Fowler had done a good job as an eighth grade science teacher despite the worries that go with being a new mother, the wife of an Army officer in harm's way and a first year teacher.

“We have been trying to figure out a way to say ‘thank you' to two people we feel are more than worthy of our thanks and recognition,” Palmer said.

Lt. Col. Paul Davis, retired as senior army instructor with the Junior ROTC program at Union County High School, compared the program for Fowler to an episode of “This is Your Life.” He recalled the day Fowler and his twin brother, David - now also an Army officer in Iraq - came to the school cafeteria to register for JROTC and the rifle program. He said the only way to tell the twins apart was that one parted his hair differently. If they had on their caps, they both were “Fowler.”

The brothers excelled and won scholarships to the University of Kentucky. Davis said one of his fondest memories was being invited by the Fowlers to attend their Army commissioning ceremony

“The excellence I saw in Darren in ROTC and the rifle team has served him well as he served his country,” he said.

Davis commended Mrs. Fowler for standing behind her husband, saying military wives are unique.

Fowler did make a presentation about his career, including talking about the progress the United States has made in Iraq. He said when he began this tour of duty in the dangerous Ghazaliyah district, he and his men encountered IED's 256 times in eight months. With the stabilization of the area and the process of integrating the Iranian Army into their unit, they have averaged three attacks a week since June.

His slide show included some of the insurgent tools of war, including an ambulance intended to be a vehicle-borne explosive. He showed a movie of his own Humvee striking an IED as it rolled down a street, bringing an intake of breath from startled students.

“Did it hurt?” one student asked.

“Very badly,” Fowler answered, adding that improved armor on military vehicles has increased the survival rate of an IED attack to 98 percent.

Another student asked Fowler if he had ever killed anyone.

“Unfortunately, the bad people started the war and we had to end it,” he answered. “This is a war.”

As part of part of his presentation, Fowler praised his wife for her support.

“Thanks for being a wonderful wife and mother,” he said. “It took me three months to get home and see our baby girl.”

Katie, who was born while her dad was in Iraq, was present for the ceremony. Her grandfather, John Mullis, held her as they sat with other family members.

The day included a performance by the Union County High School JROTC Drill Team.

Retired Army Col. Jack Whitener read a letter from Brig. Gen. Tommy Sinclair of the South Carolina Army National Guard, a friend of Fowler's and former Sims Jr. High principal. Sinclair said he wanted to attend Friday's ceremony but had another commitment.

“Were I there in person, I would comment to you about how proud and grateful I am of you and your brother as you answer the call to service,” Whitener read. “I certainly would also comment and recognize the sacrifice your family has and continues to make as you protect this nation and the values we hold so dear. I well remember both of you as you grew up around the Bogansville Church community. Bogansville was what my family called our ‘home church.' If the Bogans, the Lees, the Lancasters and the Lawsons and many other veterans in the cemetery could talk, they too, would be proud. However, they would not be surprised. The legacy of a community and a family like yours is part of the strong fabric that keeps our nation together as we face challenges.”