Marine Cpl. Gareth Hawkins extended his enlistment to go on a third deployment to Iraq so his battalion would not be left in the hands of rookies.
Twenty days after he arrived in Iraq for the third time, a roadside bomb exploded beneath his 7-ton truck, leaving Hawkins dazed and his heel shattered.
Minutes later, his pain held at bay by morphine, the 23-year-old asked to complete one piece of unfinished business before being rushed via ambulance to undergo surgery at the hospital at the Marine air base in Taqaddum.
He wanted to reenlist for another four-year hitch.
A photographer was nearby and took a picture of the ad hoc ceremony: Hawkins on a stretcher with his right hand in the air as officers administered the reenlistment oath.
Semper Fi, by God!
Well done that man.
Hard earned thirst needs a big cold beer.
Hope they got him one.
Not to denigrate this guy – heck no! – but someone should have found a flag for the ceremony…
No, but a few like him.
Cap’n, et al,
Where do these young men come from? How did this country get so lucky to have men like CPL Hawkins serve?
Bigger question: Is this country worthy enough for such devotion?
Bravo Zulu!
Also, by doing it in the box, he gets a tax-free reenlistment bonus.
Good to see he’s thinking straight. (no sarcasm intended)
smart kid
Gunga Din lives on.
“Never in the field of human conflict…”
Lex,
Some might say that this is the only way the Marines can get them to re-up. You know, when they’re dazed and confused like right after getting blown up.
Tongue firmly in cheek!
Good men are hard to keep down!
Semper fi
If I ever had the honor to meet that man, he’d get as many beers at the best bar in town as he could handle.
This – THIS is what the MSM ought to be reporting. THIS is what should be shown to those semi-retired hippies hanging around our college campuses. It’s not about being there because you have to… it’s about being there because it is the right thing to do and because you want to.
BZ young man, you are a true Marine.
That’s the single most inspiring thing I’ve read all day. All week. All month.
Truly inspiring. Whodathunk the LA Times would report it and with a straight face, too?
This generation is full of remarkable young men and women.
I gotta wonder…how many corpsmen did it take to carry that litter, considering the huge set of cojones on that CPL. Beer’s on me, Marine!
thats why its called the marine corps.
My name is Charlotte Hawkins and I am the wife of Gareth Hawkins mentioned in this article. I thank you all so much for your support and well-wishes. My husband is truly a brave man and I’m so grateful for everyone’s recognition of that bravery!
THANK YOU FROM THE MADDEN FAMILY