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CST: Luncheon, scholarship honor Casper's Lowe

By Sally Ann Shurmur


January 10, 2013


When more than 100 people gather in Casper for lunch on a weekday, it’s about more than the buffet.

On Wednesday, the Casper Area Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee hosted a luncheon to honor Stan Lowe, 89, who has dedicated decades to advocating on behalf of Wyoming and its veterans.

“What a marvelous, marvelous member of our community,” U.S. Sen. John Barrasso of Casper said of Lowe. “I cannot say too much about Stan’s commitment to our country.”

Barrasso read a tribute to Lowe on the floor of the U.S. Senate in the first session of the 113th Congress on Jan. 3 and entered it into the Congressional Record.

“I know the Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum wouldn’t even be here in its current state if not for your work,” Barrasso said to Lowe at the luncheon.

“And the honor flights — he could have taken a seat on the very first one, but he brought up the rear, making sure everyone else had a chance to go first — as he always does,” Barrasso said.

Barrasso presented Lowe with a copy of the Congressional Record remarks, as well as a flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol in Lowe’s honor.

Lowe is also being honored with the establishment of the American Legion Post 2 Stan Lowe Scholarship at Casper College, which will be administered, as other scholarships are, by the Casper College Foundation.

“What an honor it is to have a small part in this celebration,” said foundation President John Jorgensen, who is president of Hilltop National Bank. “Our 220 scholarship funds assist more than 800 students each year at a rate of about $750,000 annually. In the 26 years of the foundation, nearly $60 million in grants and bequests have come to the college from generous citizens.”

Eligibility for the scholarship will be determined by military service and/or membership in the American Legion of a student veteran applicant, or of a student applicant’s parents, grandparents or other relatives.

Lowe enlisted in the U.S. Maritime Service on Jan. 30, 1943, and served until Feb. 15, 1946. He attained the rank of lieutenant and served with the U.S. Merchant Marines on oil tankers in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of operation in World War II. He was honorably discharged by the U.S. Coast Guard.

After his service, he completed his law degree in Wyoming and practiced law in Rawlins, served in the state House of Representatives and was elected county and prosecuting attorney in Carbon County.

Most of his career was spent as general counsel for Casper-based True Oil.

He was appointed to the Wyoming Veterans Affairs Commission by former Gov. Mike Sullivan, served under two governors from 1994 to 2003 and was named chair emeritus upon his retirement. He was awarded the Civilian Meritorious Service Medal in 2003. He was a three-year district commander of the American Legion and was recently honored with the title of honorary past department commander, a title given only four other times in the history of the Wyoming American Legion.

For 14 years, Lowe has hosted and entertained veteran crew members of the USS Wyoming when they have come to Wyoming for annual visits.

Most of Lowe’s tireless efforts have been behind the scenes, organizing and promoting Memorial, Patriots and Veterans Day observances, as well as attending deployment and homecoming ceremonies for service men and women.

John Goss, chairman of the chamber’s military affairs committee, announced that all committee proceeds from Wednesday’s luncheon would go directly to the Lowe scholarship at Casper College.

Contributions may be earmarked to the scholarship and made to Casper College Foundation, 125 College Dr., Casper, 82601.

 

 






January 2013 News Clips