Steven W. Bowman

Steven W. Bowman served as a Technical Sergeant in the United States Air Force for over 18 years. In the decades that followed, he has been a dedicated and effective advocate for veterans and their families.

Mr. Bowman enlisted in the Air Force in 1976, and voluntarily retired in 1994. A sample of the numerous recognitions he earned include: the Meritorious Service Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters (OLCs); Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 3 OLCs; National Defense Service Medal; Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon with one OLC; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon; NCO Professional Military Education Graduation Ribbon with one OLC; and the Air Force Training Ribbon.

In 1999, Mr. Bowman was elected Post Commander for the American Legion and held that position for 10 years. He was also elected County Commander, District Commander, and Department Vice Commander between 2004 and 2015. In 2006, Mr. Bowman was Legionnaire of the Year.

He serves as the District Rehab Chairman, County Judge Advocate and Post Service Officer. He served as the County and District Oratorical Chairman, working with students on Constitutional speech contests. Mr. Bowman also serves as the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post Judge Advocate and Children and Youth Chair, where he works with students in the Voice of Democracy and Patriot Pen programs.

In 2004, Mr. Bowman was appointed Director of the Clinton County Veterans Service Agency, where he worked as an accredited Service Officer, assisting veterans and their family members with claims through the Department of Veterans Affairs. In this capacity, he quickly grew as a known advocate for veterans and their families. He was recognized as American Legion Service Officer of the Year in 2014.

Mr. Bowman worked with the City of Plattsburgh and the Disabled American Veterans Chapter in 2006 to establish the Plattsburgh Barracks Veterans Park and Memorial.

Mr. Bowman is well known for working through the American Legion to provide proper training for accredited Service Officers, and working to ensure that VA Health Care facilities have the funding and staffing required to care for their veteran patients.

Mr. Bowman worked tirelessly with the NYS Legislature to enact the laws that established the first New York State Veterans Cemetery, which was designated in July 2021.