https://padlet.com/ewhit7628/2cud7m906vf7au2v 'The Things They Carried' Character Memorial en-us 2020-05-13 21:39:48 UTC 2020-05-13 22:53:25 UTC hello@padlet.com ewhit7628 https://padlet.com/ewhit7628/2cud7m906vf7au2v/wish/571293276 2020-05-13 21:49:09 UTC https://padlet.com/ewhit7628/2cud7m906vf7au2v/wish/571293276 ewhit7628 https://padlet.com/ewhit7628/2cud7m906vf7au2v/wish/571295072 Norman Bowker was a sentimental and caring young man. During the war, he always carried his diary with him, showing his gentle side, which was observed by many. Norman Bowker symbolized the struggle between the need for emotional truth and the pain many feel in expressing it. He carried a diary to write down how he felt during his different experiences in war. However, being able to verbally express the feeling of war on the paper is much more challenging. ]]> 2020-05-13 21:50:33 UTC https://padlet.com/ewhit7628/2cud7m906vf7au2v/wish/571295072 ewhit7628 https://padlet.com/ewhit7628/2cud7m906vf7au2v/wish/571302806 Norman Bowker was a strongly esteemed and well respected soldier. He was part of the Alpha Company, under the control of Jimmy Cross. Bowker strived to make his father proud by bringing home medals. During his time at war he received many medals. These included the Bombay Infantryman's Badge, which was for the completion in a course of testing designed to demonstrate proficiency in infantry skills. He also received the Army Commendation Medal, which was awarded to any member of the Armed Forces, other than general officers, who performed qualifying services in the United States Army, including, meritorious achievement, service or performance of duty, or an act of courage or heroism. Another medal he received was the Vietnam Campaign Medal, which the South Vietnamese government awarded to members of the U.S. military for support of operations in Vietnam  on March 24, 1966.

]]> 2020-05-13 21:56:25 UTC https://padlet.com/ewhit7628/2cud7m906vf7au2v/wish/571302806 ewhit7628 https://padlet.com/ewhit7628/2cud7m906vf7au2v/wish/571315031 Norman Bowker,  an American soldier in the Alpha Company who fought in the Vietnam War, sadly passed away in 1978. Bowker was found hanging in the locker room of a YMCA in his hometown in central Iowa. 

He was an esteemed soldier, known for always carrying his diary, as well as a thumb that was a gift given from his friend, Mitchell Sanders. This showed his gentle personality. 

During the war, Bowker received many medals of high achievement. However, Bowker wished to make his father proud, no matter how many medals he brought home. 

Sadly, coming home from Vietnam, caused Norman Bowker deep mental trouble. He blamed himself for the death of his close troop member, Kiowa. Consumed with guilt, Bowker ended the constant pain by ending his life.

Norman Bowker will be truly missed, and there is hopes he will not forever blame himself for Kiowa's death. He did not save Kiowa, but he tried, making him the hero seen now. 

Bowker is survived by his mother and father. 

]]> 2020-05-13 22:05:38 UTC https://padlet.com/ewhit7628/2cud7m906vf7au2v/wish/571315031 ewhit7628 https://padlet.com/ewhit7628/2cud7m906vf7au2v/wish/571316667 When Norman Bowker is home from the war he begins to reflect on all his experiences during his time in Vietnam. Bowker remembers the death of one of his closest troop members and in a letter to Tim O'Brien he writes, “‘My life, I mean it's almost like I got killed over in Nam...Hard to describe. That night when Kiowa got wasted, I sort of sank down into the sewage with him… Feels like I’m still in deep shit’” (O'Brien, 156). As a result of going to war, like many others, Norman Bowker feels powerful guilt for the death of his friend. Alone, with the combination of his gentle and caring personality and the tragic experiences he faced in war, Bowker becomes overwhelmed with emotions when he comes home from Vietnam.  ]]> 2020-05-13 22:06:58 UTC https://padlet.com/ewhit7628/2cud7m906vf7au2v/wish/571316667 ewhit7628 https://padlet.com/ewhit7628/2cud7m906vf7au2v/wish/571341324 Home from war, Norman Bowker recognizes what it really means to be home from war and hold the identity of a veteran. Bowker reveals his feelings about superficial actions toward war veterans by saying, “‘One thing I hate -really hate- is all those whiner-vets. Guys sniveling about how they didn't get any parades. Such absolute crap. I mean, who in his right mind wants a parade?’” (O'Brien, 156). Understanding the physical and mental toll war has on a man, Bowker does not agree with the ways other veterans want to be treated coming home from Vietnam. Bowker is consumed by the past, feeling pain and guilt from the war, not relief and joy that comes from superficial parades and slaps on the back when home.]]> 2020-05-13 22:29:35 UTC https://padlet.com/ewhit7628/2cud7m906vf7au2v/wish/571341324