Ellis Lowery initially came into the military through the Marine Corps in 1991. He served with the Marines until 1996 and then stayed in reserves until 1998. He has been all over the world and has collected an incredible amount of the military’s highest honors and awards. Lowery was honored Friday night in Conyers at the Heritage-Flowery Branch game for his service and he just recently joined the National Guard’s recruiting and retention program, recruiting in the Flowery Branch area. The ceremony was part of a season-long tribute by the Falcons and the National Guard to our former heroes in uniform.
His list of awards is staggering. Staff Sergeant Lowery’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with 4 Campaign Stars, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Hourglass, M and Numeral 4 devices, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon 4th Award, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon 4th Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Professional Development Ribbon with 3 Device, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, NATO Medal, State of Georgia Counter-Drug Ribbon, State of Georgia Special Operations Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Army Senior Parachutist Badge, Army Pathfinder Badge, Army Air Assault Badge, Army Basic Aviation Wings, German Foreign Jump Wings.
The one reason that stuck out to Lowery in regards to choosing a military branch was that it was in the family.
“It was a family thing. My dad was a Marine and it’s really all I knew.” Lowery explained. “When you’re a kid impression is everything. Once you grow up you kind of see it’s more about a job and a career. The Army and National Guard give you the opportunity to change class and change jobs to make you happy. A happy soldier is a good soldier.”
Lowery spent almost four years of his service overseas including a year and a half in Japan, two years in Iraq during the invasion, and time in 2009-2010 on the Syrian border. The majority of his time was spent doing protective services for the commander of the 48th brigade and long range intelligence.
When he was home between 2007-2012 he was assigned to the Army National Guard Warrior Training station in Fort Benning to teach young soldiers the art of special operations and tactical warfare. He is now in the recruiting and retention program for the Army National Guard, and he is another example of someone who did whatever job their country asked of them.
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