CHARLES HAWES

MARQUETTE — The Upper Peninsula Veteran of the Year Committee has selected Charles Hawes of Marquette to be the 2018 U.P. Veteran of the Year. The Marquette County Veterans Alliance nominated him to receive this award.

Hawes served as an E-5 second class petty officer in the U.S. Navy. During his time in the military, Hawes was decorated with the National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with Fleet Marine Force Combat Operations Insignia; and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Devise.

He was named the Marquette County Veteran of the Year 2017.

Hawes is a life member of VFW Post 6 and DAV Chapter 22. He is also a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 380, where he serves on the executive committee, and American Legion Post 44, Marquette.

Among his civilian activities, Hawes is a volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marquette and former assistant scout master of Troop 302, Marquette.

A founding member of the Marquette County Veterans Alliance, Hawes is active with all its fundraising drives.

He currently serves VFW District 14 as its chaplain and serves VFW Post 6 as junior vice commander. He has served VFW Post 6, Marquette as its commander. The Post depends on Hawes for his leadership to help organize its annual Christmas party and is a fundraiser for the Poppy Program, according to a press release.

Hawes supports American Legion Post 44, Marquette, by calling bingo and organizing the game at the Marquette County Fair. He volunteers for the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans’ breakfasts sponsored by the post, and also participates in Memorial Day ceremonies and Flag Day activities.

Hawes also assists with the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 380, annual dinner dance and its annual picnic for D.J. Jacobetti residents.

DAV Chapter 22 depends on Hawes to aid with its annual membership drive at the Marquette County Fair and be a positive mentor for the younger members. He is also is top fundraiser for the DAV’s Forget-Me-Not Program.

In addition, Hawes puts in hundreds of hours annually at St. Vincent de Paul Society volunteering his time and energy toward assisting the community and its needs.

Jim Provost, chairman of the Marquette County Veterans Alliance, summed up Hawes’s dedication to veterans in one paragraph: “Charlie is a very dedicated and responsible advocate for our veterans, and he can be called upon at a moment’s notice to help with any project or fundraising activity. He expresses his ideas when he feels they positively affect the lives of veterans and always puts them first. As a family-first veteran, he gets a great deal of support from his family and often has them helping him at events. He is a gentle and positive personality and a friend to many.”

Hawes has two grown children; Kimberly of Negaunee and Bradley of Gwinn.

Hawes will be honored as the “U.P. Veteran of the Year” on Veterans Day at the U.P. State Fair in Escanaba. The ceremony will take place at about 11 a.m. Eastern time Aug. 16 in front of the grandstand building. Gov. Rick Snyder, state Sen. Tom Casperson and state representatives from around the U.P. are expected to honor Hawes.

All veterans with proper I.D. will get into the fair free on this day.