[KHTS] – Route 66 restaurant in Canyon Country is hosting a surprise party Wednesday at 6 p.m. for a U.S. Navy officer and Canyon High grad returning on a break from service overseas.
Lt. Tyler Hawkins of the U.S. Navy is the guest of honor at the restaurant’s Bike Night, which also features a live band. All are welcomed to attend, Thomas said.
The Hawkins family plays in a band together, which was part of the ruse used to lure Hawkins to the event, said George Thomas, the restaurant’s owner.
Hawkins, who plays guitar, was invited to play on stage at the restaurant; when the band takes a break, Thomas plans on introducing an unsuspecting Hawkins and saying a few words. A city of Santa Clarita official will also be on hand to make a presentation .
“Anything I can do to take my hat off and say, Thank you,” to them is the least that I can do,” said Thomas, whose brother was a Green Beret in Vietnam. “I think it’s more important to thank the guys while they’re still with us, and give them the feeling that, “My community knows what I do and respects what I do.”
Gold Star parent and Santa Clarita City Councilman Dante Acosta, whose son Rudy Acosta died in Kandahar province in 2011 while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom, will be presenting Hawkins with a certificate of appreciation from the city.
“Any time that we can honor our vets and those who are currently serving, and he is, I count it as a privilege,” Acosta said. “These young men and women volunteer to serve their community and the nation as a whole, and it’s a very small gesture on my part.”
Hawkins played for Canyon High’s 2005 championship football team before graduating from U.S Naval Academy in Annapolis.
There will also be a fly-over planned for the Condor Squadron based out of Van Nuys, Thomas said.
The restaurant is located at 18730 Soledad Canyon Road in Santa Clarita.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
Tweet This
Facebook
Digg This
Bookmark
Stumble
RSS
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.
33 Comments
I will miss that! Thank you Tyler for your service!
I will miss that! Thank you Tyler for your service!
I hope the guest of honor isn’t keeping up with local news.
I hope the guest of honor isn’t keeping up with local news.
How awesome.
How awesome.
Levi Kelly
Levi Kelly
Very cool welcoming
Very cool welcoming
T-Hawk is a good man but better yet a great Seal!!!!
Welcome back home! Thank you for your service, may God bless you.
Wow!
Might have to drive by after work ….. Welcome home & Thank you!
Man, guess I should have gone to canyon because when I go home Valencia high doesn’t give me a certificate :p. congrats to the LT
So great!
Welcome home Sailor !!
Damn I’m still at work.
Welcome home!
Way to go t-bone, welcome home
Welcome home Sailor!!! Thanks for your service!!
Awesome fly by!!
Welcome Home!! Thank you for your service! :)
Welcome home!! Thank you for your service
Noelle Sauer
That’s awesome! Welcome back Sir!
Jason Cassone
Great seeing you T…and as always thank you
Welcome home Lieutenant Hawkins!!! Thank you for your service. Very commendable Route 66 restaurant.
Welcome home. Awesome. CC is our former home. Kudos to the community
Welcome home! Thank you for your service.
Thank you for your service!!! Loved the fly bye . Welcome home.
Lmao