Debbie Hawkins has begun a personal quest in honor of her son, Michael Hawkins, a Marine who will be returning home for two weeks this Saturday.
Hawkins wants to celebrate her son’s arrival by having Sebastian residents place a yellow ribbon on their oak trees.
Michael Hawkins, 20, attended Sebastian River Middle and High schools, and graduated in 2008. One month later, he enlisted in the Marines and has been in Japan, the Philippines and Korea until Jan. 8.
His mother, Debbie Hawkins, a resident of Sebastian for seven years, moved to Vero Beach in 1979. She said she is overwhelmed by seeing her son this Saturday when she picks him up at the Orlando Airport. She said she went around to car dealerships and craft stores to try to get yellow ribbons for the oak trees in town.
Debbie Hawkins said several years ago, during the Gulf War, with Michael in a stroller, she handed out yellow ribbons at a Walmart parking lot for customers to place on their car antennas. She said she remembers her son’s wide grin and knew he would be involved in the military at this young age.
Robert Glassman, 77, is the ranger for the Boy Scouts Camp Oklawaha in Sebastian. He met Michael Hawkins six years ago and said he “always helped others and was an exemplary scout.”
Glassman also said Camp Oklawaha will sport yellow ribbons on its oak trees this Saturday for Michael’s return.
Debbie Hawkins said she wants to do something special for someone, her son, who has done so much for the country.
Michael Hawkins works with weapons, although his mother is unsure of exactly what he does with them. Michael Hawkins will only be home for two weeks and has volunteered to go to Afghanistan this June. His mother said he “wants to be the one to catch Osama bin Laden.”
She can not afford to purchase ribbons for all the oak trees in Sebastian and asked that others help her welcome her son by placing a yellow ribbon on their oak trees. Debbie Hawkins said the area she would most like to see decorated is from Interstate 95 to Roseland Road.
HOW TO HELP
Contact Debbie Hawkins via e-mail at mauideb@msn.com with the subject line “Michael”.
source: TCPALM.com - By Lawrence Gould
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