Utah mother turns grief into mission to support veterans through Bowden’s Brigade

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A Utah mother who lost her son after his military service is turning that grief into a mission to make sure other veterans don’t face the transition home alone.

Janaea Hunter founded Bowden’s Brigade, a Utah-based nonprofit that brings veterans together through gatherings and activities designed to help build support networks and prevent isolation.

The organization is named after Hunter’s son, Bowden, who dreamed of serving his country from a young age.

“Bowden was just an amazing, fun-loving, energetic, one of the kindest people you would ever meet,” Hunter told KSL NewsRadio. “He would give you the shoes off his feet if he knew you needed them, even if it meant he wouldn’t have any.”

One of Bowden’s friends later created a phrase that stuck with the family: “Love Like Bow.”

“That describes him perfectly,” Hunter said. “It didn’t matter who you were or what your background was, he gave unconditional love to everybody.”

A dream cut short

Bowden achieved his dream of joining the Marines. But after suffering an injury early in his service, he was medically discharged, a moment his mother said was devastating.

“When he got injured, they medically released him, and that just broke him,” Hunter said. “Everything he wanted to do in life was basically just yanked away from him.”

Bowden had served only about nine months when he was forced to leave the military.

Hunter said the sudden loss of the career and purpose he had been working toward since he was a teenager was difficult for him to process.

The transition from military life to civilian life can be challenging for many service members, she said, especially when they feel they can’t ask for help.

“They train you that asking for help is showing weakness,” Hunter said of military culture. “And then when they come home, life isn’t that way anymore, but they don’t always have the tools to make that transition.”

Bowden later died by suicide.

Turning loss into purpose

In the months after losing her son, Hunter began searching for a way to help other veterans who might be facing similar struggles.

That effort became Bowden’s Brigade, which launched about nine months ago.

Hunter said the organization’s goal is simple: build community among veterans.

“I’ve learned that veterans need to be around other veterans,” she said. “They need a place where they can let their guard down and be themselves around people who understand what they’ve been through.”

The group hosts regular gatherings that range from casual lunches to group activities.

Some events have included golf simulator outings, racing simulators and informal meetups. In one instance, a participant even volunteered to organize a polar plunge event for other veterans.

The goal, Hunter said, is to create opportunities for veterans to connect and eventually build friendships that extend beyond the organized events.

“If someone can say, ‘Hey, I’m going to lunch, who wants to come?’ or ‘I’m going golfing,’ that can make a huge difference,” she said. “It helps break down that isolation.”

Hunter hopes to expand the activities in the future to include larger outings like fishing trips, hiking excursions or weekend retreats.

A growing community

Hunter said the response from veterans has been encouraging.

“It’s taken a little time to get in front of veterans,” she said. “But once a few came and understood what we’re doing, they started inviting other veterans.”

Some participants have even stepped up to volunteer or organize events themselves.

For Hunter, those moments are signs the effort is working.

“That showed me this is something they need,” she said. “They’re really thirsty for that connection.”

Honoring Bowden’s legacy

Hunter said keeping her son’s name and values alive is central to the organization’s mission.

“They always say you die twice, once when you take your last breath, and once when someone says your name for the last time,” she said. “I want to keep Bowden alive and keep what he stood for alive.”

Bowden’s Brigade will host a fundraising event later this month to continue that mission.

The Bow Ties for Combat Boots Gala will take place March 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Club Paddock in American Fork.

The event will bring together veterans, families and community supporters and will include a memorial dedication honoring service members and first responders who died by suicide.

Proceeds from the event will help support Bowden’s Brigade’s programs and veteran gatherings.

Hunter hopes the organization will continue growing so that more veterans know they have a community waiting for them.

“My whole goal is to build a place where they already have support,” she said. “So they don’t have to ask for help, because we’re already there.”

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Suicide prevention resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or exhibiting warning signs, call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 which is answered 24/7/365 by crisis counselors at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. All calls to legacy crisis hotlines, including the old National Suicide Prevention hotline, 1-800-273-8255, will also connect to a crisis care worker at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute as well.

Additional resources

• SafeUT: Parents, students, and educators can connect with a licensed crisis counselor through chat by downloading the SafeUT app or by calling 833-3SAFEUT (833-372-3388)
• SafeUT Frontline: First responders, including firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, and healthcare professionals can chat with a licensed crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading the SafeUT Frontline app.
• SafeUTNG: Members of the National Guard can chat with a licensed crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading the SafeUTNG app.
• Utah Warm Line: For non-crisis situations, when you need a listening ear as you heal and recover from a personal struggle, call 1-833 SPEAKUT 8:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
• The Huntsman Mental Health Institute offers a wide variety of programs and services including suicide prevention and crisis services, hospital treatment, therapy & medication management, substance Use & addiction recovery, child & teen programs, and maternal mental health services including birth trauma, pregnancy loss, infertility, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
• LiveOnUtah.org is a statewide effort to prevent suicide by promoting education, providing resources, and changing Utah’s culture around suicide and mental health. They offer resources for faith based groups, LGBTQ+, youth, employers, firearm suicide prevention, and crisis and treatment options.

Counties in Utah provide services for mental health and substance use disorders. Centers are run by the thirteen Local Mental Health and Substance Use Authorities all across the state and offer therapy, substance use disorder treatment, support groups, mobile services, youth treatment, and more.

These resources and more information can be found here: https://www.uacnet.org/behavioralhealth.

Other community-based resources

• NAMI Utah provides education, support and advocacy for individuals and families impacted by mental illness.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers prevention programs, public education, support for loss survivors, and fundraising for research.
• Encircle Utah: LGBTQ+ family and youth resource center.
• Utah Pride Center empowers Utah’s diverse LGBTQ+ community.
• The Trevor Project: LGBTQ teen resource center.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health
• Latino Behavioral Health Services

Center for Workplace Mental Health offers suicide prevention and response for employers.