My walk was dedicated in honor of :
Army Staff Sgt. Asbury F. Hawn II, Age 35 of Lebanon, TN
KIA Aug. 14, 2005 in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom
He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Tennessee Army National Guard, McMinnville, TN.
SSG Hawn died of injuries sustained on August 13, 2005, in Tuz, Iraq, while he was conducting a mounted patrol his HMMWV came under attack by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire. He was assigned to the Army National Guard’s 3rd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, McMinnville, Tennessee.
Until his death, relatives of Asbury F. Hawn II knew nothing of the honors he had earned previously for bravery and dedication to duty. The Rev. Steve Marcum suggested another.
“If I could suggest one more medal for this brave man and dedicated husband, father, son and brother, it would be for humility,” Marcum said during Hawn’s funeral.
Hawn, 35, of Lebanon, Tenn., died Aug. 14 of wounds from an attack the previous day in Tuz. A 1988 high school graduate, he was based at McMinnville.
“He was always asking us to send crayons, coloring books and supplies for the Iraqi children who have never seen a crayon and most of whom live in huts,” said sister Faith Brownlow. “He was a patriot in the truest sense.”
Hawn joined the Army in 1993 and was deployed to Haiti on a peacekeeping mission before enlisting in the Army Guard in 1996. He had worked at Nissan for about five years when called to active duty last June.
“As a little boy, he wanted to be a soldier. As the baby brother of three older sisters, we spoiled him rotten,” said Brownlow.
He is survived by his wife, Angie, and sons Jonathan, 12, and Spencer, 4.
His awards and decorations include, The purple heart, Iraq Campaign Medal, Combat action badge, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army achievement medal, Good Conduct Medal, United Nations Medal, Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal. NCO Professional Developmental Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal,Tennessee National Guard Individual achievement Ribbon, Tennssee National Guard Volunteers Volunteer Ribbon, Tennessee National Guard Service Ribbon with Bronze Service Star and the Tennessee National Guard Distinguished Service Medal.
Had a good walk considering all that went on. I had walked about a mile and fell busted my knee and hand open. I stopped in a store and washed off the blood and kept going. I was able to still walk 9.12 miles. I didn’t let a little pain stop me and the wind.. wow the strongest wind I have ever walked in. Still didn’t stop me.
I want to thank everyone that honked and waved in helping me honor this hero. You all are amazing.
He will NOT be forgotten.
