Photo By Chief Petty Officer Grant Probst | Past, present, future service members pose with World War II veteran Josef Martin at...... read more read more
FRESNO, Calif. – Active duty, past and future service members volunteered to help a burglarized and beaten World War II veteran at his home on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
Josef Martin, a 92-year-old WWII veteran had his home broken into at gun point, was beaten, thrown into a closet and robbed on Oct. 23. Upon hearing this news, Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Martin, no relation, from a Fresno area recruiting station spread the word and rallied a team to help.
Petty Officer 1st Class Martin assembled a team of more than 50 people including future, current and past service members. Local businesses also donated resources and equipment to aid in improvements to Mr. Martin’s home. The repairs and improvements encompassed a wide range, including yard work, security, lighting upgrades, steam cleaning carpets, eliminating a rat problem and fresh paint.
“I was sure Mr. Martin was feeling as disappointed with people in his community after the inhuman way he was treated,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Martin. “So I did what I thought was right. I also shared the story with my coworkers and other people in the community and as I expected they all felt the way I did, came together and made a difference in his life.”
Petty Officer 1st Class Martin and his troops came to the aid of Mr. Martin during his time of need and spent all of Veterans Day working on his home improving the quality of life and making improvements. Mr. Martin sat with various visitors talking and telling stories from his time in the service. During the lunch break Mr. Martin Took time to address everyone in attendance.
"I will never have the words to say how I feel about all this." Mr. Martin paused, looked around and said, "Thank you all."
In the days following, local businesses and other volunteers continued the improvements and upgrades, including security systems, tree removal and life support improvements.
| Date Taken: | 11.11.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 11.26.2013 21:26 |
| Story ID: | 117436 |
| Location: | FRESNO, CA, US |
| Hometown: | CLOVIS, CA, US |
| Hometown: | FRESNO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 66 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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