Published: April 01, 2008 10:12 pm         

Hake’s family amazed by, thankful for the city’s support

Kelli Hake remembers her husband, Chris, rol-ling around on the floor playing with their son, Gage. She also remembers how considerate he was to call her from Iraq, sometimes three or four times a day.

“He was thoughtful, and he was the funniest guy in the world,” she said, of the man she first met through family.

Now, she and Gage will have to go on without husband and father. Army Staff Sgt. Chris Hake, 26, was killed March 23 in southern Baghdad when his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. Three other soldiers also died in the attack.

His funeral will be 3:30 p.m. today at Oklahoma Bi-ble Academy. Burial will be 3 p.m. Tuesday in Arlington National Cemetery.

“He wanted to make sure Gage was roughhoused and played with. I have videos of him rolling around and playing on the ground,” she said.

Kelli will miss having her husband there as Gage grows up. Gage, who was born Oct. 14, 2006, doesn’t understand now. He doesn’t understand the concept of mommy and daddy, she said, but he is happy to have family members around to play with. He is a good boy.

“He sleeps well, acts good. He’s just a great kid,” she said.

She now lives near Fort Stewart, Ga., where Chris was stationed as a member of the 3rd Infantry Division before returning to Iraq for his second tour. Kelli, a Stillwater native, said she probably will move back to Oklahoma after she sells their house.

“I had no idea the type of support we have received,” she said. “Going down (Monday), and all the flags and everyone standing out there ... It’s something you would never dream about. It was amazing how many people were out there, I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it myself.”

Hake’s body was returned to Enid Monday, and residents turned out in large numbers, lining the route from Enid Woodring Regional Airport to Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone who has done so much for us. Things people brought to the house, food, everything people have done,” she said.

Chris’ father, Pete, is tired, but said he has been in good spirits, although Monday was emotional.

“I’m a little tired, but I’m OK,” he said.

Seeing his son’s casket arrive at Woodring and touching it made everything real. Pete Hake said the moment was pretty emotional for everyone.

“We were doing pretty good the week before. (Monday) was hard, the casket made it all real,” he said.

“We’re just overwhelmed by the support from the town of Enid and people who keep bringing food over and money. It just never stops,” he said. “We’re about to buy another refrigerator to keep the food in.”

He talked with Army representatives Monday who said they were surprised at the turnout and support they saw along the route from the airport to the funeral home.

“You know 90 percent of them don’t know Chris. They’re just turning out because they believe in our soldiers,” Pete said. “When you see all this it just soaks us up. It makes me more proud of Chris and more appreciative of the town — old guys saluting — it makes you real appreciative of the people of Enid.”

Around the Square people were lined up shoulder-to-shoulder for several blocks. Pete said he hoped there would be a lot of people, but he never imagined the turnout.

“When the plane rolled up yesterday, everyone broke down. Having him here and touching the casket ... The ride to town was about the same with all the people out,” he said. “You can’t believe that many people would come out to honor your son and your husband.”

Gage recognizes pictures of his father and occasionally comments. Those moments are the hardest, Pete said.

Chris was supposed to come home for 18 days in July for a mid-tour break, and he wanted to spend time with Kelli and Gage.

Recently, he became interested in building things, and he wanted to get some wood and see what he could build. First, would be a big toy box for Gage. The couple, who have been married three years, had no plans for the end of his deployment.

There are about 20 family members in town, and Pete expects about 70 for the funeral. About 20 will attend the burial at Arlington National Cemetery.