Photo By Sgt. Abbygail Heinen | The Lowden family, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 34th Infantry...... read more read more
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For many families, military service is a tradition passed down through generations, with stories often shared during family gatherings. For Maj. Michael Lowden and Sgt. Josephine “Joey” Lowden, that tradition has become a unique reality as the father-daughter duo serves side-by-side with the Minnesota National Guard's 34th Infantry Division "Red Bulls" on their current deployment to the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility.
For Maj. Michael Lowden, who first enlisted in the Army in 1985, the opportunity to serve alongside his daughter is nothing short of a blessing. With a break from service between 1998 and 2019, Michael recommissioned as a captain after watching two of his children graduate from basic training.
“I realized how much I missed serving,” said Michael, an air defense artillery officer from Mahtowa, Minnesota. “The Minnesota National Guard gave me the opportunity to come back and serve with both Joey and my son-in-law, Spc. Evi Kahana. Deployments are tough, but spending this time with them has been a blessing.”
For Joey, who enlisted in 2017 as an aviation operations specialist, the chance to deploy alongside her father felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity she couldn’t pass up.
“When I found out my dad and husband were deploying, I volunteered,” said Joey, a Circle Pines native. Being able to not just hear about my dad’s military stories but to be a part of them is something I’ll cherish forever.”
While some might say Joey followed in her father’s footsteps, Maj. Lowden sees it differently. In fact, he considers himself the one following her lead. Joey was born in 1998, the same year Michael initially left the service, and she had already enlisted before he recommissioned.
“I’m extremely proud of her decision to serve,” said Michael. “In a way, I’m the one following her example. She made her own way in the military, and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Joey shares a deep admiration for her father, not just as a service member but as a person. His hard work and balanced approach to life shaped her own values and influenced her decision to serve.
“He’s someone you just want to be like,” Joey said. “I feel like he raised me and my siblings in a way that set us up for success, both in and out of the military.”
While Maj. Lowden and Sgt. Lowden serve in different sections, they make a point to check in with each other. One of their favorite deployment traditions has been their weekly coffee on Sundays—a simple but meaningful ritual.
“We don’t see each other often during the week, but Sunday coffee is our time to catch up and just talk about home,” Michael said. “It’s the most memorable part of this deployment for me.”
The balance between their professional roles and their family roles has come naturally to both. They maintain professionalism during the workday and switch back to being father and daughter once the uniform comes off. Joey acknowledges the importance of drawing a line between the two roles but appreciates having her father as both a mentor and a sounding board.
“There are things I go through that our other family members don’t understand,” Joey said. “But he gets it—both as my dad and as an officer.”
The Lowden family tradition of military service goes beyond the father and daughter. Maj. Lowden’s brother and sister served in the Navy, and another brother served Army. With two children who have served, the values of duty, sacrifice, and honor run deep in their household. As Military Family Month approaches, both Maj. Lowden and Sgt. Lowden reflect on the importance of the support they receive from family back home.
“My family takes comfort in knowing that Joey and I are here to support each other,” Michael said.
Joey echoes her father, expressing deep appreciation for the support system that holds everything together back home.
“It’s not an easy task, but to be able to hold down the fort while we’re out here is an incredible feat,” she said. “We couldn’t do what we do without them.”
As the deployment continues, both Lowden’s are looking forward to the simple pleasures of home—family dinners, morning coffee, and time spent with loved ones. For Joey, the idea of gathering the family together with all the dogs around the dinner table is a comforting thought, while Michael is looking forward to the quiet moments of sharing a cup of coffee with his wife.
“We’ve got a lot to look forward to,” said Michael. “But for now, we’re making the most of the time we have together out here.”
| Date Taken: | 11.26.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 12.08.2024 14:45 |
| Story ID: | 486290 |
| Location: | (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION) |
| Web Views: | 683 |
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This work, “Red Bull” Runs in the Family, by SSG Mahsima Alkamooneh, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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