Dawn Haynes Rowe learned first hand what the military's Family Readiness Program could mean when she became a war widow this past fall.
Assigned to the 1st Battalion of the 7th Marines, Rowe's husband of 11 years, Capt. Alan Rowe, 35, was deployed four times, twice to Iraq. The first time he went was June 2003. He was re-deployed this past August as a Weapons Company Commander and was killed in action Sept. 3, less than two weeks after arriving in country. He was buried with full honors in Fairfield on Sept. 11.
Rowe grew up in Gooding, was active in 4-H clubs and graduated from the Gooding High School. He enlisted in the Marines as a senior in 1985. Later, while in the Marine Reserves he attended Boise State University and received his degree in Political Science.
Funds are being raised at the 18th Annual "Freeze on Skis" water skiing event on New Year's Day for the Family Readiness Group, and Dawn Rowe will be on hand for the event on the Snake River above Shoshone Falls, east of Twin Falls.
A former participant and coordinator of the event, Dawn Rowe and her children live in Yucca Valley, where her husband was based at 29 Palms Marine Corps Base. Formerly, she was a member of the Magic Valley Jaycees who initiated the fundraising event. Her sister-in-law Diana Rowe Pauls, of Gooding, also a Magic Valley Jaycee, is gathering pledges for Dawn's New Year's Day water ski.
Thanks to a donation by Ketchum resident Duffy Witmer, owner of the Pioneer Salon, of three round trip plane tickets, Dawn and her children are flying from California to participate this year, and raise money for the Family Readiness Program.
The mission of the Family Readiness Program is to support families and units before, during and after a deployment. According to a military Web site, "During Desert Storm the Army Reserve Command realized that families needed better access to information on their benefits and entitlements. After September 11, 2001, it became evident that an available resource for the Families was critical to Soldier Readiness."
"Soldiers need to know we're here for their families when they can't be," Pauls said. "The best thing he (her brother Alan) ever did was pick his wife. She's awesome. And she knows the importance not only as a volunteer for Family Readiness in Yucca, but as a recipient."
It's only been a few months since Alan Rowe was killed in Iraq, and his family still feels the deep pain of losing him.
"We remind ourselves he lived a wonderful life, especially with Dawn. They did wonderful things, had two wonderful children and traveled all over the world," she said while fighting back tears, not very successfully. "He did what he believed in. We got to thinking he was bullet proof."
Pauls added that the people of Idaho were amazing when Alan died. "There were cards and gifts and recognitions. This is Dawn's way of paying it forward. She knows better than anyone what the program can mean."
Ski pledge forms are available at Pine Tree Sports in Burley, Claude's Sports, Elevation Sports, Big 5 Sporting Goods and The Times-News in Twin Falls and El Sombrero in Jerome. They also may be obtained from Snake River Freeze on Skis members, including organizers John Plowman at 208-420-0661 and Henk Heeling at 208-734-5065.
Participants raising at least $50 will be awarded a T-shirt. Those raising $300 or more receive a jacket. Skiers will ski in order, according to the most money raised, and prizes will be awarded. Skiers can water ski, knee-board or wake-board. No jet skis are allowed. Forms can be turned in Saturday, Jan. 1 at the boat ramp above Shoshone Falls where the action takes place.
Funds raised will benefit the Family Readiness Group for local families of Idaho National Guard members of the 116th Brigade Combat Team of Jerome, Hailey, Gooding and Twin Falls. The event will also benefit the Education Scholarship Fund for Rowe's children, Blake, 5, and Caitlin, 3. To sponsor Dawn and support the families of local reservists in Iraq, donations of any size may be sent to Diana Rowe Pauls, 405 Colorado St. Gooding, Id. 83330 payable to "Snake River Freeze On Skis, Inc." in Dawn Rowe's name, by Dec. 28.
Capt. Alan and Dawn Rowe and their children in California. Courtesy photo
