I was a neighbor of the Martino family when Michael was a young boy. He was always happy and did everything with his close family. They were great neighbors. I thank him for keeping our county the safe and strong nation that it is. May the Lord bless Michael, his parents, and his brother and sister.

I remember Mike from my former Youth Track Club the Time Machine and also high school at Woodbridge HIgh. It had been years since I saw Mike, but remember when we had our high school reunion (10 Year), I saw this picture of him in the memory book, it was October 2001, only a month after 9/11. My heart sank, seeing a kid I use to know laying down his life for our country. From time to time, especially as news progressed about the war in Iraq/Afganistan, I would think of Mike, he was the only person I ever knew who was there and I would pray for his safety. The day I found out he died serving his country I was so sad, but think that he died a noble cause and will remember him always. Rest in peace Mike! May the Lord be with your family.

I served with Capt. Martino, and I was there when he was taken from us over the air of Ramadi. We were part of HMLA-369 "World Famous Gunfighters." It's been a bit over two and a half years since Capt "Martini" Martino and Maj. "Beav" Bloomfield were taken from us. What I remember from them is that no matter what was going on while we were in Iraq they always found the time to come and cheer us up, they found the time to motivate us by telling us how good of a job we were doing. Gunshot 66 We Will Never Forget. Semper Fi...

I am Mike's Dad, not a day goes by that our family does not feel the overwelming loss of our son and brother. My only consolation is in the knowledge that our son died doing what he believed was the correct course of action to preserve our security and freedom here at home. He expressed those very sentiments to me before his last deployment, when I asked him about it. What hurts is that many would have us withdraw immediately for political expediancy. This would trivalize his sacrifice and the sacrifices of so many others that went into this with the resolve to win the peace and bring stability to Iraq. That hurt is the worse hurt to endure.

Robert A. Martino
Gunshot 66 We Will Never Forget
Father to Major Michael D. Martino USMC Promoted Posthumously

There is a Website dedicated to Michael at the following URL:

www.arlington.somloi.com/index.html

In additional to his main Legacy Page, it contains numerous links including Arlington National Cemetery ceremony, and a Tribute to Michael from his family. Just select "Links" from above website.

Mike's Mom