'Our hero' killed by bomb in Iraq
Monte Vista man enlisted after earning 2 degrees
John C. Ensslin
Originally published 09:38 p.m., May 4, 2008
Updated 11:53 p.m., May 4, 2008
Special To The Rocky
Marine Sgt. Glen Martinez, left, was killed Friday by an explosive in Iraq. He is pictured with his wife, Melissa Sue Martinez, also a sergeant in the Marine Corps stationed in Iraq.
- Email this
- Print this
- Comments
- Change text size
- Subscribe to print edition
- iPod friendly
Ron Martinez knew something was wrong when he heard the two dogs barking from their kennel on his property in Monte Vista.
He looked out the door and saw two uniformed Marines and a pair of sheriff's deputies.
He knew why they had come.
"My whole world stopped," Martinez said Sunday. "I didn't want to open the door. But I knew I had to."
The officers were there to inform Martinez and his wife, Carol, that their 31-year-old son, Glen, a Marine sergeant based in Fallujah, Iraq, had been killed Friday by a roadside bomb. He was on his second tour of duty in Iraq.
His wife, Melissa Sue Martinez, also a Marine sergeant assigned to Fallujah, will accompany her husband's body to Monte Vista, where services are pending.
Three other Marines also were killed in the blast. The military has not officially released the names of the dead.
According to iCasualties.org, there have been 4,066 confirmed U.S. troop deaths in Iraq, including 57 identified as from Colorado.
"Glen was our hero," his father said Sunday. "He made us very proud because he always did the best he could."
Born in Alamosa, Martinez grew up in Monte Vista. He was quarterback of the Monte Vista football team for three years. He also competed in the state wrestling tournament three times.
He attended Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kan., on a baseball and academic scholarship, where he obtained degrees in math and land surveying.
After graduation, Martinez had been living in Boulder when he told his family that he planned to enlist in the Marines.
"He said, 'I'm tired of listening to people talking down my country. I want to do something positive,' " his father recalled.
"It baffled me. Here he's got these two degrees. I asked him why," the elder Martinez added. "He said, 'It's something I've got to do.' "
While training at Camp Pendleton in California, Martinez met his future wife one night while they were digging holes, his father recalled.
"Dad, I met this chick," the elder Martinez recalled his son saying the next day.
"Well, what does she look like?" the father asked.
"I don't know, but we talked all night," his son said.
Later, Glen Martinez recognized her voice when they were in the mess hall. As it turned out, she was from Denver.
The couple were married on a California beach in February 2006, 10 days before they were first deployed to Iraq. Glen Martinez and Melissa Sue Martinez renewed their vows Dec. 28, 2007, in a formal ceremony in Golden.
Two other troops with ties to Colorado were reported killed in Iraq last week.
Sgt. 1st Class Lawrence Ezell, 30, of Portland, Texas, died Wednesday in Baghdad of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit. Ezell was assigned to the 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group at Fort Carson.
Spc. Ronald J. Tucker, 21, of Fountain, also died Wednesday after the vehicle he was riding in was hit by a roadside bomb in Baghdad.
Comments
Posted by HollyGoLightly on May 4, 2008 at 9:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My sympathies are with the family. I'm sorry for your loss.
Posted by LindsayM on May 4, 2008 at 10:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Glen, you will be missed. I'm glad to have had you as a high school classmate, even though I haven't seen you since graduation (or shortly after). My sympathies are with your family.
Posted by MM_Ruthie on May 5, 2008 at 12:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To Glen and wife, Thank you for your dedication and service! To Mr. & Mrs. Martinez, Thank you for giving this country a man who had passion and belief for our freedom. I am so sorry for your loss. As a Marine mom, I was moved to share my condolences with you. May God Bless and Keep you all wrapped in his arms.
Posted by mayday on May 5, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you for your service Sgt Martinez, rest in peace. My deepest condolences to Martinez family...
Posted by MarciaMarie on May 5, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Glen, I can still remember you as a baby and all of us girls wanting to play with you when we spent the night with Lori. You turned into an amazing young man. I know that you are going to be greatly missed by everyone. You touched many lives. Ron, Carol Lori, Bret, Alexis, Spencer, Melissa Sue, your grandparents, uncles aunts and cousins are all in my prayers. May God Bless You as I know you will now watch over those you loved.
Lori, Ron & Carol, and Melissa Sue, I am so sorry for your loss. If there is anything that I can do, please let me know. You are in my prayers.
Posted by vicki on May 5, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ron and Carol, I just want you to know how sorry I am for your loss. I have a son that is a Marine also and has served one tour of duty in Iraq. I know how proud you are of Glen and the ultimate sacrifice he has made for his country. His example will be forever remembered. You will all be in my family's hearts and prayers. vicki stroman dangerfield
Posted by fishtanksamurai on May 5, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you Mr. Martinez for your service and sacrafice. Semper Fidelis.
Posted by Roses on May 5, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ron, Carol and Lori; Ron and I are so sorry for your loss. It is a great sacrifice your son chose to defend our country and we salute him for his courage and commitment to his country. Ron & Rose
Posted by j_neamon on May 5, 2008 at 6:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear Martinez Family, I'm so sorry for your loss. I haven't seen Glen in years, but he was the kind of human being I will always be grateful for knowing.
Glen, thank you for your selfless, heroic service and sacrafice. You will be missed and remembered by all whose lives you've touched. God Bless You.
Posted by BradHWiedeman on May 5, 2008 at 6:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Martinez Family
I am Proud to know you and your family. Glen has always been a person that is reliable and dedicated, it must be in the water. I am here for what ever you need.
Brad Wiedeman
SSG US Army
Posted by fguitterez on May 5, 2008 at 7:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Rodney, Carol, Lori & Melissa,
Words cannot express how sorry I am for your loss. Glen meant so much to so many of us and will be greatly missed. I'm so sorry you have to endure this. It's still so unbelievable and shocking and to say the least absolutely heart wrenching. My family and I will be available for any support you need during this time. Try to draw strength from the fact that Glen was doing something so great and remember that only rare & tremendous people can be so courageous to take this responsibility on. He was absolutely amazing. Quite an honor to have him as family. My prayers have been with you.
Love you all,
Francine Guitterez-Torres
Posted by aburtonrn on May 5, 2008 at 10:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am sure that you have heard from so many individuals, families and friends on this tragedy that has happened. I understand that Glen's family is Spiritual and Religious..That will get you through. From a different perspective...He will always be young, healthy, with a fire about him that we will always remember. He will never grow old with some of the disabilities that burden the old and weary. He died doing what he wanted which is something that unfortunately most us of wont experience. Only the GOOD die young, and we will be with them again...It's a promise.
Anne Burton RN
Ft. Collins, Co
Posted by lorimaestasrupp on May 5, 2008 at 10:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ronnie and Carol, We are so sorry for your loss. May God place his hand of comfort at this time of need. Glen a was an amazing person and we will never forget what he has done for our country.
Posted by JeffEspinoza on May 6, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Martinez Family,
My sincerest condolences for your loss. I am proud to have known Glen as young boy and I am not surprised to learn what a great man he turned out to be. God bless you in this difficult time, you are in my prayers.
Respectfully,
Jeff Espinoza
Posted by mobbs1107 on May 6, 2008 at 6:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Our deepest sympathies to the Martinez family. My son (Marine) just reported to Fallujah for his 3rd deployment. Warriors have a calling and our country is great because of all of them. May you forever Rest In Peace Sgt Martinez. May time help heal the sorrow and loss of the entire Martinez family.
Mike Mobley
Highlands Ranch, CO
Posted by DadKaiser on May 7, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Glen, you might have been a 95'r but I always looked up to you and how you were able to do anything that you decided to do!
You inspire me! Thank you for your service!
I will always remember your smile and the way you could just make the hard stuff seem easy!
Ron and Carol and family, know that God will always be there to hear you and love you even when you are angry!
Eric Kaiser
Colorado Springs
Posted by Marinemom on May 7, 2008 at 10:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear Martinez Family,
I am heartbroken to learn of the loss of your beloved son, Glen and will always hold you close as part of our Marine Family. May God bless his soul and give you strength in the difficult days ahead. My son, also stationed at Camp Pendleton, returned just days ago after completing his first deployment to Fallujah. He has asked that I convey his sincere respect for a fallen brother. Sgt. Martinez was a selfless warrior who was called upon to pay the ultimate price for our freedom. He will always have a place of honor in our hearts as a Fallen Marine Hero guarding Heaven's doors. We will never forget him and we'll aways remember the sacrifice your family has made for our country. Thank you.
I hope you find comfort in these words from our Marine song:
"If the Army and the Navy ever gaze on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines."
Glen is up there now, looking down on us and protecting us forever.
Semper Fi,
Sharon Bacon
CA.
Posted by Eva on May 8, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Glen, it had been a long while since I had seen you, but everytime I ran into your dad he always let me know how you were doing. So proud of you just like everyone else. You were an inspiration to us all and you will be greatly missed. Growing up in a small town really leaves an impression on the people who knew you. You had the best personality and the warmest and "cheesiest" smile anyone can have. Thanks for being a good friend throughout our school days!! Ron, Carol, Lori, you are all in my prayers!
Always
"Evil Eva" - (Glen was the founder of that name)
Posted by SaraLowe on May 8, 2008 at 7:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It seems like in times like these we all need to say something but we are just not sure what to say. My deepest sympathy goes out to Ronnie, Carol, Lori and all of the extended Martinez family. In each and every one of my memories of Glen he has a HUGE smile on his face always trying to make someone laugh, even when it may not have been the most appropriate time for any of us to laugh. We will all hold our memories of Glen close to our hearts. Although nothing will take away the pain just know that he died doing what he believed in, which is something that most us will never have the courage to do.
Sara Lowe (Sanderson)
Posted by ProudArmyWife38 on May 9, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear Martinez Family,
I am terribly sorry for your loss. Your family is in my prayers. Ron and Carol, Glen was truly a wonderful person and is a testament to the kind of parents you were to him. He made our hometown very proud!
Glen, thank you for your service to our country, you will be greatly missed!
Posted by dmills on May 12, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I didn't know Glen, but my step sister Lindsay (Edwards) Langdon did. She has told us how special Glen was. My thoughts and prayers go out to all his loved ones. I will be thinking of you all. Glen was and will always be a true hero and I think him and Melissa for all they have done and all Melissa will continue to do. May God bless and keep you safe!!
Love Always,
Darla Mills
Post your comment (Requires free registration.)
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.