This is a picture of my Grandfather, Charles “Web” Martin, from Parkton, Maryland.

He was my idol when I grew up. He was a loving grandfather to me, and did many things with me and my brother as we grew up. But what made him a hero, idol to me was when he told me after watching a movie on WWII, that he was in WWII! As I got older, we would talk from time to time, on what the Army was like, and the war itself. He taught me how to march like they did, how to salute, and some of the little things of normal life back then in the Army.

He also told me of some of his experiences. His first flight on a plane when he was sick and had to go to England. He hated that flight so much. Said he never flew again because of it. Also on the death of a buddy of his, whom he never named.

They were in a fight with the Germans, and as they were advancing, His friend and him planted themselves at some trees, for cover. His friend was a few yards in front of him, leaning against the tree. When he yelled to move, his friend didn’t move. So when he stopped on his way past, he seen his friend had been shot by a German, and passed. He said that they were so close, and been together since they were went in the Army in 1942. He told me this was in late 1944, maybe even Jan 1945. He refused to make another close friend after that. He still had some, but not too many.

He sent paper clippings home of the war and they had photos of the devastation that was caused. I have one here that he had framed shortly after he got out. I remember going into his basement to play, and would ‘sneak over’ to look at it, when I was 7.

Years later, and after entering the Army myself, I got to serve in the 91 Gulf War, oddly enough in the same Division (3ID) as my Grandfather and Great Uncle, and even more odd, same base as my Great Uncle after WWII, in Kitzingen, Germany! When I came home on leave, something that I never expected took place. My parents wanted to surprise my grandparents, and we arrived, with me unannounced. My grandparents were up in age at this point, and mobility was not easy. But my grandfather stood up, and nearly ran across the room to hug me. I was 19 then, and he had not hugged me since I was like 11. Then he took a step back, went to attention, and saluted me, and said, “Great Job Soldier.”, and dropped the salute. I hugged him and told him it was his stories, and such that made me join.

We would later sit together on his front porch, sharing a beer, and swapping stories. Now at my age of 43, I find myself doing some of the same as my grandfather, with my kids. I was joking with my wife, and upon her inquiry, I said I was training to be my grandfather. She smiled when I did. She understood. Sadly, he passed in the spring of 2000 at the age of 89.

He is sorely missed, and will not be forgotten by loved ones.
~ W. H. Barrow Jr.

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