Currituck

Bowden to Receive State’s Top Civilian Award

by John?H? Snowden, III
Publisher / Editor
nencnews@yahoo.com

Former Currituck County Commissioner and lifelong Currituck resident Ernie Bowden, will be awarded North Carolina’s highest civilian honor at a ceremony to be held during the Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday, February 2, 2009.

By order of Governor Beverly Purdue, Bowden will receive The Order of the Long Leaf Pine. The award will be presented on behalf of Governor Perdue by Sheila R. Tyler, Currituck County Clerk of Court.

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine was established in 1965, and is presented to individuals who have displayed extraordinary service to the state of North Carolina. This service may include contributions to local communities and service to state and local organizations.

During his career, Bowden served on the Currituck County Board of Commissioners for a total of 24 years. He retired from public service on December 1, 2008.

Officials had originally hoped that District 1, State Senator Marc Basnight of Dare Couny could be on hand to present Bowden with the award. Officials later revealed that this was not possible due to the recent reconvening of the State Legislature and Basnights busy schedule.

In October of 2005, George A. “Buck” Thornton, III?of Corolla was honored with the award for spearheading restoration of the Historic Whalehead Club in Corolla. Thornton chaired the Whalehead Preservation Trust, during restoration of the historic hunting lodge located at Currituck Heritage Park in Corolla, N.C.

The ceremony honoring Bowden will be held in the Historic Courthouse, at 7:00 p.m. For more information, contact the Currituck County Clerk to the Board of Commissioners, at 232-2075.

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© 2009 NE NC News.