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NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Leah Jackson (jacksonl@nsula.edu
)
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
8/16/2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES - A token of patriotism to friends of Northwestern from alumni and former students serving in Iraq helped raise funds during the NSU Athletic Scholarship auction. A flag emblazoned with the NSU logo was sent to Sgt. Blake Fowler, 1/156 Battalion of Bossier City, to be signed by the brothers in arms, returned to NSU and placed among the other items to be bid on during the Aug. 27 event.
The NSU flag was flown over a United States military base in Baghdad, Iraq, and signed by several members of the 1/15th Armor Battalion. The flag was framed for the auction, along with an American flag, which was flown over the U.S. military base in Iraq. The framed items also included an engraved plaque and photos of the soldiers signing the flag.
Sgt. Black Fowler of the 1/156th Armor Battallion of Shreveport, a Natchitoches native currently stationed in Iraq, had the flag autographed by his comrades-in-arms. Other soldiers from Natchitoches and Northwestern in the unit are Sgt. Robert Barthelemy, Sgt. Shane Garcie, Sgt. Jerod Ward, Sgt. Adam Aton, Sgt. James Spivey, Spc. Anwar Aiden, Spc. Matt Entwistle, Spc. Edward Clement, Spc. Phillip Age and Spc. Klairone Coleman.
"I had seen a photo somewhere of another university's flag being flown over a base in Iraq, and thought to myself, 'Wow, that would be really neat for the Scholarship Auction,'" said Charlie Vienne, assistant athletic director. "I knew we had several Natchitoches and NSU people over there, so it would hit a little close to home for a lot of people."
Fowler, son of Ted Fowler and Dee Fowler of Natchitoches, began attending NSU in 1999. His unit was called to active duty in June 2004 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and is planning to return in September 2005. He hopes to resume classes at that time, and is utilizing NSU's Internet classes to pursue his degree in criminal justice.
Fowler is married to Kara Fowler of Natchitoches, also an NSU student. He had the battalion sign the flag, then donated it to NSU for the Scholarship Auction.
"I sent the NSU flag over to his unit or them to sign and he sent it back," Vienne said. They are getting it framed, along with photos of the soldiers signing and engraved plaque.
The NSU Athletic Scholarship Auction will take place Saturday, Aug. 27 in Prather Coliseum and will include a live and silent auction, dinner and entertainment. Doors open at 4 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Vienne at (318) 357-4295 or e-mail viennec@nsula.edu.