A Call to Service
By Barbara Thomas
“Integrity First”
“No One Comes Close”
“Semper Paratus – Always Ready”
“Honor, Courage, Commitment”
“Service Before Self”
“Peace through Strength”
“These Things We Do That Others May Live”
“The Impossible We Do Everyday The Miracles Take a Bit
Longer”
“Semper Fidelis – Always faithful”
“First in, Last out”
“Honor, Courage, Commitment”
“Not for self, but country”
“The other easy day was yesterday”
“Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way”
“In God we trust. All other we monitor”
The above phrases in quotes are more than words to some people; they are guides, creeds, mottos, inspirations, words to live by, and for some, to die by. My workplace is somewhat special and different. Many of us here know that and appreciate that every day. We are built of a 
people who have been brought together to accomplish big tasks. What many may not know is that we are in the midst of people, who by their sacrifice and service, have allowed us, as Americans, to pursue a life of freedom, choice, peace and prosperity. In my organization, our population is approximately 200 people and 15% of those individuals have truly served many of us and we, at times, fail to realize or acknowledge their sacrifice.
In our midst, we have lots of smart people, talented people, and creative people, but we also have people who have been servants and heroes. Among us we have individuals who have been involved in activities such as: The Cuban Missile Crisis: Parachuting into hostile territory; Piloting Patrol Boats in Vietnam; Sonar Technicians, Blue Angels Demonstration team member; Preparing and repairing service equipment; Navigating submarines, boats and missiles to their proper destination; Caring for those injured in battle; Protecting the United States’ land, air, and water borders. We have Bronze Star Recipients, Purple Heart Recipients, Commendation recipients and other medal award winners among us. The list can go on and should go on, but beyond our thanks and appreciation, our service men and women deserve our utmost respect and admiration. Thank You to those of you who have served our country and have helped to keep us free. God Bless America!
The following excerpt from a song basically says it all: “A man goes off to war, He’s not afraid to live or die for a people who don’t even know who he is….”
In Memoriam:
The above article was originally written in January 2009. We are reprinting here in honor and memory of Barbara and Bill Thomas’s son, Captain Mark R. McDowell, a member of the 336 Fighter Squadron based in Goldsboro,NC. Captain McDowell was killed in action on July 17, 2009 in Afghanistan. He answered his country’s call, defending his country with his life.
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
Mark was born on June 3, 1983 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mark was a very smart and inquisitive little boy. Once he entered school, he found his true love, learning. Whatever Mark tackled, he tackled it with enthusiasm and gusto, striving to always be the best. As a 2nd grader his teacher placed him at a table with students who were not quite as quick as Mark and Mark began tutoring others at that young age. He continued in his role of helping others as he grew older, whether it was tutoring in math or science, helping with handicapped children, working in the youth legislature, leading prayer studies while attending the United States Air Force Academy, or more recently volunteering at the base hospital in Afghanistan.
Mark’s call to the Lord came at the age of 8 and since that time, the Lord was a mighty and constant force in Mark’s life. As a teenager Mark tried to be an example to others and as he grew older he continued to lead his life to honor and please God. While at the Air Force Academy, Mark was very active in the Officer’s Christian Fellowship where he decided to learn to play the guitar – just because they needed someone to. That was Mark, always willing to step up, never 
afraid to fail, always willing to trust God to lead him and show him where he could serve. God gave Mark amazing talents and capabilities. Mark’s wife Katie said of Mark –no matter what he tried to do – he worked hard and mastered it quickly. That is the way Mark was in his walk with God. He attacked the scriptures with a desire to learn more about the Lord and to understand everything he could about the God that he loved and served.
Mark’s service required the ultimate sacrifice from him and he gave it freely. Mark gave his life for a cause he believed in and he lived his life for the Master he so willingly worshipped and served. Mark ran his race well and he ran his race to the fullest of his capabilities. He is a child of God and now he resides with his Father above. There is a saying that fits the way Mark lived, “Take care of your body as if you will live forever, Take care of your soul as if you will die tomorrow”. That is the way Mark lived each and every day.
The following is what Mark chose to have written beside his graduation picture from the Air Force Academy in 2005. While others were thanking family and friends, Mark left his classmates and Air Force comrades with the following scripture:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1)
The following is a poem written by Mark’s parents – Bill and Barbara Thomas
Tribute to a beloved son:
“We tied a yellow ribbon around our mailbox in May
It was to come down when we held you again one day
The ribbon still adorns our mailbox today
For to remove it requires strength for which we can only pray
You took your pledge to defend and fight
You left us with a smile that dark spring night
As you flew your jet to a far away land
We never suspected you would not fly home again
A flag stands in our window today
A reminder of a son so soon taken away
You have done us proud and given your all
In our hearts you will always live and stand so very tall.”
We miss you and love you,
Bill and Mom
