Happy Veteran’s Day, Dad! Here’s a photo of Tom with his mother Be, just before he shipped out to the Korean War.
I love that look on Grandma Be’s face. Perhaps I am reading too much into it, but I sense a combination of pride (her Marine son is serving our country) and fear (he may not be coming home). Fortunately Tom did return home safe and sound, otherwise my siblings and I would not be here.
If you can love, thank a parent. If you can read, thank a teacher. If you can speak your mind in a free country, thank a veteran.
Thank you all U.S.A. veterans for protecting our great nation and way of life.
We celebrated Tom’s first birthday since he passed away by having lunch and reminiscing about him at one of his favorite restaurants on the beach. It was a nice lunch, and Dad was with us there in spirit. We had his five favorite C’s: chocolate, coffee, Coke, cookies and cashews.
Back row: Steven, Laura and Timm. Front row: Lisa, Reverend Mike and Hazel.
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One of Tom’s favorite Christmas activities was to make rosettes, a traditional Scandinavian fried cookie. We celebrated Dad’s birthday by making dozens of rosettes with a 130-year-old rosette iron that originally belonged to Grandma Semke’s mother.
After seasoning the iron, Lisa watches Heather and Ryan make our first pair of rosettes.
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Following are entries in the Memorial Guest Book for Thomas R. Martin, December 5, 1932 – April 13, 2009. Since I’m not sure how long the entries will remain on the funeral site, I’ve reproduced them here so they remain visible forever. Click here to sign the guest book, or better yet, please leave a comment below.
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Tom had a number of speakers at his memorial in Wisconsin in June. All of the people shown here also spoke at his memorial in Florida in April.
Reverend Dr. Michael F. Evans delivered a wonderful, heart-warming and personal service.
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We held a memorial for Tom Martin on Saturday, June 20, 2009 at Wisconsin Memorial Park in Brookfield.
The United States Marine Fox Company – Milwaukee I & I performed military honors for Tom by folding the U.S. Flag and playing Taps.
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Here is my real angel that God sent from heaven: Hazel, my wife of 55 years, a registered nurse.
Flash back to the end of April 2008 when South Bay Hospital said I was critical and wouldn’t live past noon. I won’t give you all the gory details, but Hazel and the hospital somehow pulled me through, and here I sit today.
Don’t know how long, but I will try to make the most of what I have left.
Heaven sent this little puppy (5 years old) called "Silvie." Weighs 5 pounds. We call her "My Guard Dog" or "My Little Nurse."
When I am awake, she’s awake. When I sleep, she curls up next to my right shoulder. When I lay down and hurt, she lays her warm little body over the spot.
If someone other than family touches me while I am sleeping, "Leo the Lion" roars out. Lots of noise. If someone other than family touches me, she studies them intently.
She is now laying 3 feet next to me.
When I came home from the hospital after being "critical," she walked around with her head hung low for 3 days.
What can I say? Thank you, God.
