When Was the Last Blue Angels Show in Scranton Pa

Lt. Timothy Hawkins, 39, a native of Scranton, is a decorated U.S. military officer and a model for high school graduates at wits end about their lifetime careers.

Tim graduated from Bishop Hannan High School in 1998, said his mom, Susan Earyes. "He started college and hated it. His father (Joe Earyes) and I told him that he could go to college or cut grass." Instead Tim signed up for the Navy and was off to basic training two weeks later.

He completed basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill in March 2000, attended the Engineering Common Core School and reported to the USS Enterprise.

On Sept. 11, 2001, the USS Enterprise was on its way back home from the Persian Gulf. Suddenly, the carrier stopped and made a 360-degree turn. "We all felt it and wondered what was going on," Tim said. "On the morning of September 11, I was sitting in my office in downtown Philadelphia and my stomach sank," said Kelli Dallen who was Tim's girlfriend at the time. "We found out the Enterprise was going back and we were nervous," she said. "My brother was on that ship, too." Kelli and Tim met when he accompanied his shipmate, Kelli's brother, John, home to Philadelphia, for Thanksgiving in 2000.

The Enterprise was the first carrier to bomb Iraq. And Tim wouldn't get home until after Thanksgiving. Kelli and Tim conducted a long distance relationship from 2000 to 2004. In 2006 they were married. There were many military separations over the years, but they learned to endure them. "Separations are hard, but we understand the Navy life and have been used to it from the beginning," explains Kelli. "We've been through seven deployments that ranged from six to nine months, plus multiple work-ups to prepare for deployments. We have grown accustomed to this life that often separates us."

Tim advanced quickly in the Navy. He was promoted under the Command Advancement Program to Electrician's Mate Second Class in June 2004. He then reported to Navy Recruiting District Philadelphia in February 2005 and was spot promoted to Electrician's Mate First Class while serving as Recruiter-in-Charge of Navy Recruiting Station Reading. He was accepted for conversion to Navy Counselor and reported to Navy Counselor School in Norfolk, VA, in August 2008. He then reported to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in October 2008 and while on board, was selected as Sailor of the Year.

His daughter Ava-Grace was born on Christmas in 2008. Tim was home for her birth but left for deployment shortly after. In 2012 Tim advanced to Chief Petty Officer and reported to Navy Information Operations Command Maryland. He was selected for the Limited Duty Officer (LDO) Program in November 2013 and commissioned an Ensign in the U.S.Navy. In 2013, daughter Harper joined the Hawkins Family. "Tim wasn't home a lot when Ava-Grace was born due to multiple deployments, but he has been fortunate to be home more with Harper," Kelli said." He has a great relationship with both girls and is a phenomenal father."

In December 2013, he reported to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143, otherwise known as the "Pukin' Dogs," at Naval Air Station Oceana, VA, and served as the Administrative Department Head and Legal Officer. The Pukin Dogs are an operational fleet squadron flying the F/A -18E Siper Hornet.

In September 2016, Tim joined the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy's flight demonstration squadron, with aviators from the Navy and Marines. The mission of the Blue Angels is to showcase the pride and professionalism of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country through flight demonstrations and community outreach. The show season runs each year from March until November and Tim is on the road much of that time. During shows, he may be in the control tower and other times in the communications booth.

Last month, at the time of this writing, he was in Providence, RI getting ready to travel the next day to Milwaukee.

The Blue Angels are scheduled to make an appearance in Wilkes-Barre-Scranton in March 2019 but the Hawkins' won't be there. Tim invested 18 years in the Navy and has five years left to serve. His family is in Pensacola, FL— the Blue Angels base — and he and his wife will move to Virginia Beach in November when he reports to his new command.

He calls his wife a superstar. She manages the children, works as a critical care pediatric nurse and is currently completing her master's in nursing. "Military life is difficult especially without family close by. Military spouses became family and we rely heavily on each other to make the most of these tours," says Kelli. When asked to describer her husband she says, "He has a great sense of humor, funny and sweet. He's humble, enjoys peace and quiet but he's personable and has a great rapport with his team. He's brilliant. He loves the military but is looking forward to the time he can retire and spend time with his girls. Tim's mom, Susan Earyes, is proud of both Tim and Kelli and the sacrifices they make.

Tim's decorations include three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, seven Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and various personal and unit awards.mHowever, his proudest moments are, "being a father to Ava-Grace and Harper and husband of Kellianne."

As for young men and women searching for a role in the military he explained, "Obtain as much information as possible to make an informed decision. The Navy and Marine Corps will reward you with something priceless — camaraderie."   –Christine Fanning

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Source: https://www.happeningsmagazinepa.com/2018/07/02/the-skys-the-limit-2/

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