Hawk's Avenue of Flags will memorialize all veterans

On Memorial Day, those who travel up to Monument Hill Cemetery could be greeted with an abundance of the Stars and Stripes, as 2016 marks the inaugural year for Hawk's Avenue of Flags. The memorial is being created in memory of Airman First Class Donald L. "Hawk" Hawkins, by his wife Betty Hawkins and daughter Julie Lehman, but it is for all veterans. Inspiration came from an Avenue of Flags in the small town of Culbertson, Neb., near where Hawk grew up, and Monument Hill Cemetery was chosen because it is where Hawk was laid to rest.

After serving in the US Air Force from 1952-56 and in the Korean War, Hawk became the telephone man here from 1958-96. He started with Ma Bell, and transitioned with the business as it changed over the years.

Family was really important to Hawk, Hawkins and Lehman said, especially his grandchildren. As he became ill during the 10 years leading to his passing on Jan. 9 of this year, it was the grandchildren he knew more than anyone else.

The local VFW has "bent over backwards" to help, they said, noting Hawk was very active with VFW Post No. 2281. They further added he would be pleased to have all veterans honored in his memory, and wouldn't want a statue or other memorial simply to him.

Hawkins and Lehman expressed their appreciation to the Big Horn Basin Riders, for planting 60 foundations at the cemetery for the flags to be flown; of these, 54 are already spoken for. Most of the flags are the casket flags used at veterans' funerals, and each flag gets its own pole with the name, rank and branch of the deceased veteran engraved on it.

Poles are placed in the same spots every time, creating a permanent memorial for all veterans connected to Hot Springs County. Hawkins and Lehman noted some veterans are not from Thermopolis, but have family here - they are still eligible to have a flag placed in their name. The same is true for any veterans who did not see combat.

Flags will be treated with the utmost respect, and proper flag etiquette will be used when handling them. When not being flown, flags and poles will be stored to keep them clean and in good shape.

No veteran's family will be turned away if they cannot afford a spot at the Avenue of Flags, but donations are appreciated and welcome.

The cost for the pole to hang the flag, including the engraved placard with the veterans name, is about $100. Those families who want to purchase an additional flag so they can keep the original casket flag as a memento can do so for $65.

The flags being flown on Memorial Day is not the final step, as this will be an ongoing project.

Once through the initial step, Hawkins and Lehman plan to have fundraisers for items such as additional storage for the flags and poles when they are not being used.

It's going to be an emotional time, Hawkins said, noting that some are excited for the memorial while others chose not to do it because of the emotions involved.

There are also plans to fly the flags on Veterans Day, during the Reunion Weekend the third weekend in July - so Thermopolis alumni can see them - and any special occasions.

Hawkins and Lehman want to memorialize and honor all veterans and their sacrifices, and continue to spark the patriotism in the community. There's a lot of military history in the county, they said, and they don't want anyone to forget.