There are real stories about soldiers being treated well if you like to look for them.
Cheers for a soldier - Pitcher's real talent is helping Afghans modernize their country
by Andrea Remke
August 3, 2006
U.S. Army Spc. Jeffrey Hawk of Petersburg throws out the first pitch at the Florence Freedom game Thursday night.
It wasn't a Nolan Ryan pitch, but it got about the same applause.
A soldier home on leave from duty in Afghanistan took the mound Thursday at Champion Window Field to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Florence Freedom's game against the Chillicothe Paints.
Spc. Jeffrey Hawk, 25, of Petersburg, dressed in his camouflage fatigues, practiced his wind-up and threw a high curve ball to the catcher as his family, friends and hundreds of Freedom fans applauded and whistled.
"I'm just so proud of him," said Hawk's mother, Lisa Rowe, who was among the soldier's relatives, friends and former co-workers at the game.
Hawk has been a soldier for three years serving in the Army Reserves 558th Signal Co. out of Kings Mills. He was previously deployed to Kuwait before heading to Afghanistan. Hawk, a graduate of Boone County High School and a member of the Florence Elks Lodge 314, has been enjoying his 15-day leave. He heads back to active duty next week.
Hawk said it was 138 degrees in Kuwait when he left.
"I've been enjoying friends and family ... just relaxing," he said. "The heat of the desert does a number on you."
It was a well-attended party for the Elks Lodge, said fellow member Steve Woods. "To put 50 of us in one place and have to even turn people away ... to come support him, shows how dedicated a person he is," Woods said.
Hawk is a communication specialist helping put together telephone and Internet systems in new buildings in Afghanistan. He said he tries to stay out of danger, as his troop lives among locals there.
"We're there to help rebuild the country and teach them," he said.
Rowe said she looks forward to the day he comes home for good.
"He's grown up so much since he's been (in the military)," Rowe said. "He told me, 'I've seen and done more than I ever thought I would in my lifetime.'
"I'm glad he's had this opportunity," she said.
Hawk said he has missed hanging out with his wife of four years, Tabatha.
Tabatha Hawk said it's hard sharing his time when he's only home two weeks.
"I told everyone this week, from Monday to Wednesday he's all mine," she said.
E-mail aremke@nky.com
Copyright 2006, Enquirer.com
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