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STORIES

Timothy Bowman

Veteran

Where were you when you first heard about or saw the 9/11 terrorist attacks?

I was on duty at U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service in California when the attacks hit. My duties included working with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to provide information on aliens involved in criminal activities and national security threats. I saw the attacks hitting before I went to work and knew and I would be needed. Shortly after arrival, we were told we could go home for the day, but my co-workers and I immediately insisted that we needed to stay, and by that afternoon, we began working 24/7 operations. By the end of the day, we were receiving calls for information on the suspects and related persons.

How did the events of that day shape your life and inspire your service to this country?

When I first saw the attacks, as a retired soldier, I considered applying to return to active duty, but I knew that my position with the INS was necessary for our national security, and I was a principal architect in developing the program that provided more dedicated support to our government's national security program.

What are you excited to contribute to your community, however you define it, for the next 20 years?

Although I am now retired from my military and civil service positions, I am active in my community in spreading awareness while emphasizing that we as Americans are from all races and religions, and we as a nation are united in defending our principles.

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