Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Cowie's dream almost ended when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in May. She was told earlier in the year that she would deploy to Iraq this summer.
The forty-two year old mother is ready for duty after her aggressive treatment plan. She had two surgeries and a five day targeted radiation treatment called MammoSite. Elizabeth will leave later this month with the 1113th Transportation Company of San Jose, California, for at least a year transporting supplies in Iraq.
Elizabeth's mother Pearl said she "isn't surprised that her daughter still wants to deploy. I knew this would not deter her. She was just determined to go. That is the kind of person she is."
Sgt. Juan Padilla said that Cowie's decision inspired the 1113th as it prepares to leave for Iraq. He said "If she can go through all of that, through cancer and just wanting to go after all that, we can overcome anything. That's going to keep everybody's morale up".
1. I happen to be the lucky stiff that can claim, Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Cowie is my Girlfriend an I"m not saying she can kick your girlfriends *^%# but My pet name for her is Warrior Princess, I am Auggie Cavanagh and I can NOT begin to impress upon to whom ever may be reading this, how much of a strong Modern day woman she truly is. She has not ceased to amaze me with her dedication, true concern for he fellow man (and Not just her soldiers) I mean she helped to found, along with civilian Carolyn Blasheck one of the most important All Volunteer Non-profit orginizations in this country. Named Operation Gratitude, this group lets Americans show thier support to our Service men and women deployed in far aways lands By packing and sending Care Packages.
And then when life thru a proverbial Monkey-rench into her plans and commitment to deploy to Irac with her troops, by giving her breast cancer, she said in her usual Fargo North Dakoda Drawl, "What'd we gotta do to get this done so I can go with my soldiers? Not missing a beat, she gets this proceedure done called Mammosite, and now she's gone, she left today taking my love my heart and my deepest admiration with her, I missed her the moment she told me she was going Irac.
Until she gets back, I will keep her spirit, enthusiasim and determination alive and well.
Am I bias? You bet! After all I do Love her, Duh!
Hurry home my Warrior Princess!
Posted at 4:15AM on Jul 10th 2007 by Auggie Cavanagh