I enlisted in the Army at 17 and served 3.5 years in a Patriot missile unit on missions in Germany, Poland and Israel.

I served honorably and am extremely proud of my service. As a veteran I am concerned about Tim Bowles, the Democratic candidate for state Senate in the 18th District, refusing to answer questions regarding his military service record.

Mr. Bowles said only that he did not serve in the military when asked and would not answer whether he was drafted for Vietnam. Born in 1950, he would have been eligible for the draft and a quick google search confirms that his birthday was called or pulled for the draft.

Why won't he answer? A medical, religious or educational deferment is nothing to dodge the question for. My guess from his silence is Mr. Bowles ran from his duty to his country. How can active duty service members, veterans and their families elect a man who not only cowers in the face of duty, but also in revealing the truth about his service? I ask Mr. Bowles to set the record straight on his service record and give us veterans and service members who make up a large portion of his constituents the respect and answers they deserve. 

Alexander Grzelak

Griswold