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In 1932, a successful Lafayette oil man began a life-long quest to satisfy his love of the out-of -doors. Win Hawkins’ chief enjoyment was any and every occasion that brought him to his beloved Cameron Parish marsh where he hunted ducks. As a crack shot, story teller and raconteur, all around fine fellow and generous sportsman, he earned the respect, admiration and friendship of the Cajun community of that coastal paradise.
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When World War II began, the War Department recognized Win’s value to the defense of the Homeland. Win was commissioned, in the Coast Guard, and charged with the responsibility of organizing the able-bodied residents of Cameron into a vigilant coastal patrol. With Nazi submarines in the Gulf attacking cargo vessels and attempting to land spies, his men’s rescue efforts saved many a torpedoed mariner and an odd downed airman or two as well. The vigilance of these sharp-eyed guardsmen on horseback became legendary and German landing parties gave their beaches wide berth.
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After the war, Win returned to the oil exploration and production business. And to his favorite pastime, duck hunting. Establishing a series of trails and blinds, on marshland leased from the Miller family and the Miami Corporation, he had a wonderfully spacious and comfortable lodge constructed where he could entertain friends. And the guides? Former Coastal Patrolmen who continued to enjoy proximity to their affable leader.
Wishing to insure continued access to the wonderful duck hunting found in his coastal marsh, several of his closest friends persuaded Win Hawkins to form a club, Win Hawkins Oak Grove Hunting Club, in which they could join and to which they could contribute.
In 1957, when, without warning, Hurricane Audrey inflicted terrible suffering and such deadly destruction on Cameron Parish, many of its citizens perished and the original Oak Grove lodge was lost. Undaunted, a new and even grander lodge arose from the ruins. The members honored Win with the dedication of a Canadian refuge in his name.
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