Alexander Hawley is going to a barbecue at his boss’s house on the Fourth of July.
And it’s a really big deal.
Hawley, a 2001 graduate of South Whidbey High School, is a staff sergeant in the Marine Corps and is stationed in Norfolk, Va. But the Marine found out two weeks ago he needed to change his original plans for Independence Day: He was asked to come by for a barbecue with President Obama and watch the fireworks from the lawn of the White House.
Mike Hawley, an Island County sheriff’s deputy and former county sheriff, said his son recently called him with the news. He recounted how the colonel called his son into his office with a cryptic, “Guess what?”
“He was pretty surprised and obviously very honored,” Hawley said.
“I bought him a camera at Costco. I said, ‘Make sure you get some good pictures!’”
Each year, the president has hosted a Fourth of July barbecue and invited a hundred or so active-duty military members, plus their families, to the White House. Last year’s festivities included performances by singer Brandi Carlile, Cedric the Entertainer and the rock band, The Killers.
Hawley said he was thrilled his son was being recognized for the dedicated and hard work he has done.
“He certainly deserves it. He certainly has earned it,” Hawley said.
Staff Sgt. Hawley has been deployed overseas in the infantry five times since 2001 — twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan — and saw combat in most of the major engagements in both conflicts, including the Battle of Fallujah. His original plans for the Fourth of July revolved around having a few beers and burgers with his neighbors, a group of Navy SEALS.
“He’s real excited. This is such a great opportunity for him to see some things that very few people get to,” his father said.
“I told him, ‘Just remember, that’s the commander in chief. He’s the boss.’”
For the proud father, his Fourth of July plans will stay pretty much the way they have the past 25 years. Hawley will be keeping the peace on Independence Day.
“I’ll be working,” he said with a laugh.
