Member Story: Marion ‘Spike’ Bowman – Silver Spring, MD

Heritage member Spike Bowman wants his children to have “the same opportunities to grow, develop and to serve their nation that I had.”

Like many Heritage Foundation members, Marion “Spike” Bowman spent most of his career in public service, working to save and improve the lives of the American people. His career in national security and international law included stints in the Navy and other government agencies. He has participated in the investigation and prosecution of virtually every major spy of the past 25 years, including the Walker, Whitworth and Pollard cases.

Bowman’s professional involvement in intelligence work confirmed his belief in conservative principles. Each assignment allowed him “to witness firsthand the fact that we still live in a very dangerous world.”

Bowman believes, like many Heritage members, that the size of the federal government is of paramount concern. “I strongly believe the national debt is directly related to the well-being of the nation and to the quality of life that my children and grandchildren will experience,” he says.

Unsurprisingly, Bowman also worries about the underfunding of our military forces. “We cannot afford to have a hollow military force. We need to have a national understanding that a strong military force is the best recipe for world peace that we could have. For example, the projection of force, for good purposes, of an aircraft carrier is one of the best foreign policy implements that we have.”

Today, Bowman teaches four graduate level classes in international law and security issues. He uses Heritage research, studies and reports to help guide his students about the conservative perspective on international security matters.

For Bowman, one of the great things about being an American is the blessing of liberty. Most importantly, he wants his three children to be able to have “the same opportunities to grow, develop and to serve their nation that I had.”

In your opinion, what’s the greatest part about being an American?

Donation & Membership Information

Join hundreds of thousands of conservatives as a member of The Heritage Foundation with your contribution.

Contact the membership office:
(800) 546-2843 or

Comments (8)

Martha Platis - March 26, 2011

One nation under God. I am 79 years old and over the years our country has changed in many ways. Up until recently I have had faith that the changes were for the better. Lately I fear that we are loosing our way. We still have the constitution and laws that will let us turn it around and return to some clearer thinking and less partisanship. We the people have to make our views known and not leave our future to the politicians. It is time to stand up and pay attention before it is to late. If we do, “That is the greatest part of being a part of the United States of America. We are free, if we feel that our government is not doing a good joy, We Can Change the way it is being run.

Martha Platis - March 27, 2011

Heritage can do what one person can not. You can speak out about the information you have collected and aid the people with knowledge. The President is acting like a king. He is not using the Legislative Branches to affect changes, but hiding and forcing legislation. The people that can’t afford health care do need help. but Government controlled health care can be corrupted to easily. It is a political time bomb. Heaven help us.

Wilma Leon - March 29, 2011

”That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, etc.” This President and his administration are destroying our country! We all say we need to stand up and speak out but with each passing day there is another new anti-American act committed by Soros or some czar or DOJ or the Prez himself. What on earth is going on? Why aren’t they being arrested for anti-American activities, at the very least??

Geneva Taylor - March 29, 2011

I simply agree with Wilma Leon and worry for my grandchildren and great grandchildren because our Congress is permitting all this illegal behavior from the czars on to the President. Where is their courage
Geneva Taylor

Alex Vallecillo - March 30, 2011

The most important value of being a citizen of the United States of America is our freedoms. In order to preserve them we must respect the Constitution, maintain our national security strong, live within our means, and pass on these values to our children.

John - March 31, 2011

Spike is right. We need to re-focus our fed to concentrate on what was intended in the first place; foreign affairs and defense. The behemoth that the fed has become is slowing us down and stunting our growth.

william keller - March 31, 2011

freedom to raise our children in the values we as parents
see fit and to voice our opinion in a civil manner freedom
is what america is all about and we don’t want obama
to take it away.

Ed Kalvelage - April 2, 2011

Freedom. It is such a simple idea. It is so apparently good for those of us lucky enough to have been borne into it. But it is so hard to perserve and not notice it slowly slipping away. Thank God Heritage is making us aware of our state of liberty and offering common sense solutions to strengthing it.