With family and fellow members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity on hand, Air Force veteran Bruce Stowers was recognized for his service by Delran council.
Mayor Gary Catrambone presented Sgt. Stowers with a proclamation at a township council meeting last month.
Stowers began his enlistment with basic training at the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He then received specialized training as an inventory management specialist at Denver’s Lowry Air Force Base. After training in 1975, Stowers was stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst with the 438th Military Air Lift Wing. During his service, he also was stationed at Kunsan Air Force Base in Korea.
During his tour of duty – while attached to the 145th Air National guard out of Charlotte, North Carolina – Stowers acquired his college degree at North Carolina State University. He completed his enlistment with the Air Force in the 108th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey National Guard in June 1978 after more than three years.
After active duty, Stowers served in law enforcement with the state attorney general’s Department of Law and Public Safety. He retired after 25 years.
Stowers continues to serve his community in numerous capacities. He is a past president of Our Lady of the Divine Shepherd with Sacred Heart in Trenton, a role he had for 14 years. He served as president of the state chapter of the Knights of Saint John International, a Roman Catholic men’s fraternal organization in the Trenton diocese.
“During his eight years in the organization, he attained the rank of captain,” according to the proclamation honoring Stowers. He was also recognized and commended for his commnity service in the U.S., as well as Libya, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
Stowers’ efforts in the community have also included assisting children originally from African countries living in the Mercer County area of the state by finding tutors and counselors. He is an active member of Alpha Phi Fraternity, helping with various programs that include – but are not limited to – Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the St. Jude walk, the March for Babies, the Breast Cancer Awareness walk and numerous cleanup efforts.
