M14 Forum

Dreampiper

Some of you know me; for those that do not I am an Army Reserve Sergeant in Las Vegas. Despite the smack talk, I love my Marines.

That said the last two weekends have been very emotional for me.

Last week we laid to rest one of my favorite Uncles, Marion "Toady" Hawkins, MSG USMC (RET).

What I know first hand is he was a role model and loving Uncle to me when I was a child. What I have learned is he was a Korea and Vietnam vet, served as a DI at MCRD SD three times, won many awards on the Marine Corps Shooting Team (Crow, Hawk and Feathers as his team was called). It seems to me some decorations are not included in his shadow box. When he retired he went to work with General Dynamics. I heard stories of him saving a young mans life when he had a seizure. He supported a Cambodian family in running a small business. He confronted thugs in the neighborhood with his .45. No, I'm not plagiarizing a movie. These are just the things an old Marine does. The turn out of friends and community members to his funeral was a testament to the life he led.

He was laid to rest at Miramar National Cemetery with full honors on 9/19/11.







Rest In Peace Toady.


The second week:
I had the honor to attend the graduation of PVT Chris Wolfe, a close friend of my family, from Marine basic at MCRD SD.




He is an outstanding young man from Las Vegas from a lineage of Marines. He is going to be a Combat Engineer (I like to take credit for that) and will serve this Country with honor, courage and integrity.

I'm sure many of you can see the tidal wave of emotions arising from laying one great Marine to rest and seeing the next generation taking up the guidon all at once.

To really tie the history together, yesterday my son interviewed his great Grandfather about his time on the USS Intrepid during WWII. The interview is for a school social studies project.

I got it all on video.

cowpoke

Thanks for sharing this, Dreampiper. It's awesome to see family traditions passed on. Rest In Peace MstSgt Hawkins and "Get Some!" PVT Wolfe.

Semper Fidelis

willriskit

Thanks for sharing your memories of a great American patriot! Using the side of the big grinder that hasn't changed for a backdrop will bring back memories for many of us. As I recall, there wasn't a vehicle parking area there back when. Also, pictures of smiling Marines in uniform are a rarity. Whenever a DI smiled, you knew you were in a world of s---. Glad you left out the new rainbow footprints behind Daly Barracks.

Semper Fi!

Cool Mo D

Thanks to your Uncle for his service, and to the new boot. Looks just like it did in '69.
Rainbow footprints????, your kidding right?

sixplus1

Thanks for sharing. Me too.. I am Navy, but I love the Marines also.

8654Maine

Awesome.

I like to rag on the other services but it's all good fun.

We are a band of brothers (& sisters).

mariodesmo

Thanks for posting, these were awesome men, they were.
Prayers on their way for your Uncle and family.

My Uncle Pete also recently passed away, I posted a thread
in the "Wall of Honor" section titled, "WWII Marines".
He too received a Military Honor guard, and is now resting at
the local National Cemetary.

My Uncle Pete had the same qualities you mention about yours.
He joined the Marines shortly after Pear Harbor,
was in Guadacana, and Iwo Jima, also served during the
occupation of Japan. He was discharged in 1946.