Hakenson Family Home

Here follows an excerpt from the Fall 2006 edition of the "Franconia Legacies" newsletter published by the Franconia Museum:

Board Member Profile - Carol and Don Hakenson

Don Hakenson was born in Washington DC, but lived practically his entire life in Franconia, Virginia. Don’s parents built a house in Windsor Estates and raised seven boys and one girl. Don attended Franconia Elementary School, Mark Twain Intermediate and graduated from Edison High School. Don is a Vietnam era Air Force veteran and has worked for the Department of the Army for almost 35 years. Don is currently the Director for the U.S. Army & Joint Services Records Research Center since 1989. Don's agency is responsible for researching Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) claims, and Agent Orange inquiries for Air Force, Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps veterans.

Outside of the Army, Don has spent countless years researching obscure Civil War incidents and sites in Fairfax County, especially regarding the Confederate guerilla chieftain Colonel John S. Mosby and his rangers. Don currently conducts Mosby & Franconia Civil War bus tours with his partner Gregg Dudding for the Stuart-Mosby Historical Society and for the Franconia Museum.

Don is the President for the Stuart-Mosby Historical Society and is one of the History Commissioners for Lee District in Fairfax County. In addition, Don has published “This Forgotten Land: A Tour of Civil War Sites and Other Historical Landmarks South of Alexandria, Virginia ”which was the recipient of the 2001 Nan Netherton award presented by the Fairfax County History Commission. Don also co-authored two books about Colonel John S. Mosby and his men.

Don is also a founder and a member on the board of directors for the Franconia Museum. Additionally, Don is a well sought out speaker and has given various history presentations to countless civil war, historical and civic organizations around the entire State of Virginia. Lastly, Don has published many articles on Mosby, and the Civil War history around Franconia.

Don has two children, Kathleen & Robert. Both live in the area, attended the same schools as their father, married locally and have children. Don is the grandfather of a future President and four sure fire Hall of Famers. Don is married to Carol Ann Dove.

Carol was born in Clifton, New Jersey and moved to Alexandria, Virginia when she was thirteen years old. She is the oldest of three daughters born to Beverly & Olga Dove. Carol initially missed New Jersey, but came to love Northern Virginia & eventually Don Hakenson. Carol and her two sisters graduated from Edison High School. All three sisters are very close and became professional hairdressers.

In 1990, Carol, went back to school, earned a scholarship, changed her career field and entered the Medical Billing business. Carol is now an office manager for Anesthesia Resource Network Inc., located in Woodbridge. In July of this year, Carol completed all the mandatory requirements from the American Academy of Professional Coders and earned the title of Certified Professional Coder (CPC).

Carol has two children, Josh (age 24), who is a supervisor for a local construction company, owns his own condominium in Occoquan, and recently was baptized in the historic Rappahannock River. Katie, the youngest, is currently a senior International Baccalaureate student at Edison High School and is preparing for college. Katie works at the Kingstowne movie theatre, obtained her driver’s license, saved her money and bought a car and is currently driving her mother crazy.

Carol purchased Don’s book which mentioned many ancestors from her father’s family. The Dove family has lived and has been in the Franconia area for over two hundred years. The manuscript must have been interesting because Carol and Don have been together ever since. Love was in the air when Don proposed to Carol at his house. Carol & Don were married over two years ago on the steps of the George Washington Masonic Temple, in old town Alexandria.

Carol loves to cook, keeps a very close eye on her daughter and keeps an even closer eye on Don. Furthermore, Carol truly has a love for all animals and can be frequently found hugging and petting every dog in the neighborhood.

Carol has volunteered for various events sponsored by the Franconia Museum, and other historical functions that Don is involved with. Based on Carol’s enthusiasm, dependability and her “can do” attitude she was nominated and added to the board of directors of the Franconia Museum in early 2006.

Like Will Rogers, Carol never met a person she didn’t like.