Glimmer of Lights: Atomic Veteran Matt "Hawk" Hawkins
—The Untold Stories of Duty, Sacrifice, and Health Battles Post-Enewetak
Silent Heroes of Enewetak: Matt "Hawk" Hawkins and the Atomic Veterans' Fight for Recognition
Tagline:"We Did Our Job, and Now We're Fighting a Losing Battle
"We did our job, and now we're fighting a losing battle," Matt "Hawk" Hawkins reflects on his time as part of the 1977-1980 Enewetak Atoll Atomic Debris Cleanup Mission in the Marshall Islands. His journey, like those of his fellow atomic cleanup veterans, is marked by duty, sacrifice, and the enduring health concerns that have followed them for decades.
Hawk's recollections take us back to a time when he received orders for Enewetak, a place he instinctively felt was a "bad deal." The equatorial heat, far removed from the chilly Kansas April he left behind, was an immediate shock to the system. Working tirelessly in the sweltering conditions, Hawk and his fellow veterans would spend grueling 12-hour days on the islands, waiting for boats to pick them up, catching a movie, and then grabbing some much-needed rest.
The remote nature of their mission meant isolation from the outside world, with limited communication through the MARS radio network. Hawk vividly remembers one night when a close encounter with a shark during a late-night swim prompted their company commander to issue a stern warning: "No more swimming after dark."
Hawk's expertise as a 12B demolition expert found him working on various projects, including transporting contaminated soil for disposal. In his final months on Runit, he became a "bag buster" or "debagging" specialist, responsible for opening bags of concrete mix used to cap the dome.
His decision to share his experiences came decades later when he stumbled upon a Facebook page dedicated to atomic cleanup veterans. While he rarely spoke about his time on Enewetak before, he now faces health issues, including chronic bronchitis and diabetes, that raise concerns about the potential impact of his service on his well-being.
Hawk's story, like those of his fellow veterans, serves as a powerful reminder that they are veterans just like any other, deserving recognition and support as they navigate the challenges that have followed them from Enewetak. They did their duty, and now they face another battle, one for their health and well-being.
Matt "Hawk" Hawkins' story is a testament to the resilience and sacrifice of the atomic cleanup veterans who served on Enewetak Atoll from 1977 to 1980. It paints a vivid picture of their daily struggles in a harsh, isolated environment, working tirelessly to clean up the remnants of nuclear testing. Through Hawk's account, we are reminded of the physical and mental toll their service has taken, from the scorching equatorial heat to the lingering health issues that have plagued many veterans for years.
Matt "Hawk" Hawkins' narrative stands as a poignant reminder that these veterans are deserving of our respect, acknowledgment, and assistance. Their service on this remote island, where few know its name, has left a lasting impact on their lives. Their stories deserve to be heard, and their needs addressed, as they continue to face the consequences of their selfless service to their country.
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