STATEHOUSE (Dec. 2, 2012) — State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) today honored Marine Cpl. Matthew Bowman with a Distinguished Hoosier Award at the annual Lafayette Christmas Parade.

The Distinguished Hoosier Award is granted by the governor and is one of the highest honors given to Indiana citizens. Alting recommended Bowman as a deserving recipient because of the sacrifices he made while serving in the marines.

“On behalf of Governor Daniels, I am honored to present this award to a great American hero,” Alting said. “Matthew’s service and sacrifice are testaments of his dedication to protecting the freedoms we all enjoy. He is an inspiration to the Lafayette community, the State of Indiana and to our nation.”

Bowman, a McCutcheon High School graduate, was wounded in 2011 while serving a tour of duty in Afghanistan. Since then, he has spent the majority of his time recovering and learning to walk again at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

State Reps. Randy Truitt (R-West Lafayette) and Sheila Klinker (D-Lafayette) also attended the presentation to recognize Bowman for his service.

“I applaud the bravery and courage of Corporal Bowman,” Truitt said. “He is among the finest of our country’s armed service heroes and is more than deserving of the Distinguished Hoosier Award.”

Bowman returned home to Lafayette in August and was named the Grand Marshall of this year’s local Christmas parade.

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