always remembered  / Ryan Oliver (fellow corpsman )
Today I was driving home from school and i saw a memorial on the back of a truck window. tears filled my eyes as they do now. i am saddened by your loss and the loss of a Corpsman, who kept our brothers/sisters -in-arms safe. As a fellow Corpsman I realize what he ment to his Marines and Sailors. As a parent myself i know what he ment to you as a son. I do not know him personally but what i saw today touched my heart so very deeply. Thank you for helping me remember the sacrifice that some make so we can enjoy our freedoms. Everyday I feel is a gift, and feel a little guilty because I feel I should have been there and maybe I could have made a difference in one of my fallen brothers. I will always remember what I have seen today and the way you have honored your son. God bless you and your family.

Hm2 Oliver 1st Mar/Div

Close

TO SAY IM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS  / Amanda Reese (army mom's son KIA )

HELLO!!!MY NAME IS AMANDA ALLMAN REESE MY SON PFC DANIEL ALLMAN WAS KILLED IN BAGHDAD,IRAQ ON 11-13-2006 HE WAS WITH THE ARMY.HE WAS ONLY 20 YEARS OLD AND HAD A 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER,I  JUST WANT TO SAY IM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS,IF U NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO EMAIL ME OK???

PROUD MOTHER OF A HERO!!!! I SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!!!!

AMANDA ALLMAN REESE               CONTACT ME!!!!!

Close

Two Years...  / Kelly McMillin

To Erin, Riley Jo, and my AZ Parents (Rob & Maria)-

It is hard to believe, as I sit here writing this, that it has been 2 years since you all have lost Nathan. And even though time has passed, it is still hard to find the words. The words to tell you how very much you all mean to me and the words to express my gratitude to Nathan for his service, sacrifice, and "divine intervention" in bringing all of us together. 


Erin- My gosh, where to start? I cherish the memories that you and I have made together over the last 2 years. I have watched you crawl from the depths of sorrow and grief and take the pain staking steps of re-building your life. You have so much to be proud of and I know that Nathan is proud of you, too. I can rememeber conversations that we had in the past and I know you never thought that you would be where you are today! I want you to know that every night, when I say my prayers and count my blessings, that you are ALWAYS thought of, for I know that I am truely blessed to know your friendship. I love you!

Miss Bird Martens- I know that I don't see you every day but my goodness, how you have grown! You are such a strong little girl and your smile lights up a room. Your Mommy loves you so much, as does your Ninni and Papa! I love when I get to talk to you on the phone and when you say "Hi Kel"! Your Daddy is watching down on you and I can almost hear him saying "THATS MY GIRL!!" 

Rob & Maria- I hope you know how much the two of you mean to me. I know that I never had the priveldge of meeting Nathan, but I feel as though I had from spending time with the two of you. Thank you for sharing your stories and love for your son with me. I am always thinking about the pair of you but sending some extra "TLC" along today. Thank you for taking such good care of the "Bird Girls"  Erin and Riley Jo are very lucky to have you, just as Nathan was blessed to know your love. I hope that you know how many people are and have been touched and affected by your sons life, service, and sacrifice. I love you both and hope to see you soon!

Close

Never will forget!  / Angela Diaz-Gonzalez (Friend)
So the other day i was at work and i was lucky enough to serve your wife and georgous daughter! I had chills all over when i saw them! I miss you so much and go and visit you at your memorial a lot lately, it really helps knowing you are watching over my brother and all the soldiers in Iraq right now! Me and Danielle and Javier were just talking about you the other day and still cant believe we wont see your smiling face till we meet again buddy! I miss you so much and i pray for your family wife and daughter everyday! I love you buddy! :) Close

A note written to Erin from her loving husband, Nathan  / Written From Nathan To Erin Written In May 2005 (poem written by Nathan for Erin )
My Dearest Erin,

A part of you has grown in me.  And so you see its you and me togher forever and never apart.  Maybe in distance but NEVER in HEART!!!    I love you   Can I keep you?

Nathan Close

someone whou understands.....  / Another Soldier
FALLEN WARRIOR

A WARRIOR FELL TODAY
HOW HE IS REMEMBERED IS UP TO YOU
HOW WILL YOU REMEMBER HM?

WILL YOU REMEMBER THE WARRIOR?
WILL YOU REMEMBER THE HUSBAND?
WILL YOU REMEMBER THE FATHER?
WILL YOU REMEMBER THE SON?
WILL YOU REMEMBER THE BROTHER?
WILL YOU REMEMBER THE FRIEND?

THE WARRIOR STOOD BEFORE YOU
AND DEFLECTED DANGER BEFORE IT GOT TO YOU
HE DIDNT ASK FOR YOUR THANKS
HE DIDNT ASK FOR YOUR PRAISE
IT WAS SECOND NATURE TO HIM
THAT THIS DAY MIGHT HAPPEN WAS BEFORE HIM
AND STILL HE STOOD THERE

THE HUSBAND WAS THE MAN WHO LOVED HIS WIFE
HE TOO STOOD BEFORE HER AND DEFLECTED DANGER FROM HER
IT WAS SECOND NATURE TO HIM, HE DID IT WITHOUT THINKING
HER LOVE FOR HIM WAS ALL THE THANKS HE EVER NEEDED
HE LOVED TO MAKE HER HAPPY

THE FATHER WATCHED AFTER HIS CHILDREN
HE WATCHED THEM LIKE A WOLF PROTECTING ITS LITTER
DELIGHTING IN THIER SMILES AND LAUGHTER
HE ENJOYED PLAYING WITH THEM AND MAKING THEM HAPPY
HE MADE SURE THEY HAD THE BEST HE COULD AFFORD
GOING WITHOUT HIMSELF TO ACCOMPLISH THAT GOAL
TEACHING THEM RIGHT AND WRONG, WATCHING THEM GROW

THE SON WAS THE MAN WHO MADE HIS PARENTS PROUD
HE WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR THEM
THEY REJOICED IN ALL HE DID, THEY HELPED HIM GROW
THEY WATCHED HIM TRANSFORM INTO A MAN RIGHT BEFORE THIER EYES
MOVING FROM BABY TO LITTLE BOY TO TEEN AND INTO MAN
HE LOVED SEEING HIS PARENTS HAPPY AND ALWAYS DID HIS BEST
WHAT HE WAS AND WHAT HE STOOD FOR MADE THEM PROUD

THE BROTHER WAS THE MAN WHO WATCHED AFTER HIS SIBLINGS
HE PLAYED WITH THEM AND BICKERED WITH THEM AS WELL
THEY DIDNT ALWAYS AGREE BUT THEY LOVED EACH OTHER
HE STRIVED TO HELP THEM, AND THEY STROVE TO HELP HIM
HE LOVED TO BE AROUND THEM AND MISSED THEM WHEN HE COULDNT BE THERE
THIER BOND NO ONE COULD BREAK

THE FRIEND WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR YOU
YOU COULD COUNT ON HIM IN A PINCH
CALL HIM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND HE ALWAYS ANSWERED
HE WAS THERE WHEN YOU NEEDED A SHOULDER TO CRY ON
HE WAS THERE TO CELEBRATE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
HE BACKED YOU UP WHEN YOU GOT IN OVER YOUR HEAD
AND ASKED FOR NOTHING IN RETURN

WHICH PART OF HIM WILL YOU REMEMBER
I CHOOSE TO REMEMBER THEM ALL
EACH AND EVERY PART MADE HIM WHAT HE WAS
I NEVER MET HIM BUT A BROTHER TO ME HAS BEEN LOST
HE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED
MY BROTHER HAS FALLEN BUT HE IS NOT FORGOTTEN 


Close

A Man of Good Character  / Brydon Pavlovic (Friend)
Nathan was a man of exceptional character.  He worked hard to better himself, and he encouraged those around him.  His untimely passing is only further burdened by all of the potential good he still had to share with his wife, his daughter, his family, and to those who was proud to call him a friend. Close

Remembering / Beth Derring (Friend)

Nathan,
This has been a hard week.  You will never be forgotten.  You were a very special person in our lives, even though we didn't see you very much.  I know with the kind heart you had, you are definately up in heaven dancing and watching over us.  We grieve for our loss but your gain of heaven and peace is overwhelming.  We loved you from the day we met you.  Our hearts go out to your mom and dad, brother and sister, wife and child.  We love you dude and keep watch over us all. 

Close

Memories of a fellow warrior  / Daniel Diaz-Gonzalez (Friend)
Nathan, I cant believe you have been gone for a year. You touched so many people in so many ways that your memory will live on forever. I knew you as a friend and as a fierce competitor. When i heard you joined the Navy and were heading to Iraq it made perfect sense to me because you were always the first person to help anyone if they ever had a problem. I pray for your family every day and as I go through my training and prepare to deploy myself I keep you in my mind all the time. I have never had the pleasure of meeting your wife or little girl but I hope they know what a blessing it has been for all of us to know you and we will meet again soon buddy! My thoughts and prayers to your family, your wife and your daughter. 

Semper Fi! PFC Daniel Diaz-Gonzalez Close

I never will forget!  / Angela Diaz-Gonzalez (Friend)
Nathan, I cant beleive it has been a year since you left us. I think about you and your family everyday. I miss you so much! I can only hope that little Riley Jo will be able to know what an amazing person you were! My prayers are with your entire family! Thank you  for serving our country and paying the ultimate price for our freedom, as a sister of a new marine who will soon be of to Iraq I appriciate so much more of all our soldiers! God Bless, I love you! Close

Nathen Martens Memorial  / Sally Faulkner (None)
Arizona is setting up a Memorial site  Called The Nathan Martens Arizona Memorial. It is for all the Arizona fallen heroes from Iraq. 
http://www.fallenherosarizonamemorialfund.com/

God Bless all our heroes in the Military passed and present.
Prayers to our fallen Heroes family and friends

Sally Close

In Memory  / Kerry "Doc" Pardue (fellow Doc )

My name is Kerry "Doc" Pardue, I was a medic during Vietnam.  I remember when they announced Nathan's loss here in Arizona.  I am glad you have decided to put up this to honor him.  As the National Senior Vice Commander of Medics-Corpsmen.org I wanted to give honor for Nathan.

IN MEMORY

 

Nathan Martens, Navy Corpsmen,

Feb. 1, 1985 – Sept. 6, 2005

Nathan from Queen Creek, Arizona

Raised around horses, that he loved so well.

President of the local 4 H, was a baseball All-star,

And played some high school football

These things taught him about life and responsibility

 

Nathan married Erin, daughter of a Chief of Police

His smile was contagious and true friend to all who knew him

He was blessed with a daughter, Riley Jo

Nathan loved his girls with all his heart

 

Joined the Navy to become a Corpsmen, it was a path

To become a doctor to secure the future for his family

Sent off to Iraq with the 2^nd Marines

They were his men and he was their “Doc”

 

Nathan called home by God

He is in a very special place

One glorious day will come a reunion

For Doc, Erin, Riley Jo and family

Rest in peace dear Corpsmen.

 

©Copyright April 2, 2006 by Kerry "Doc" Pardue

Author of Poems In The Keys of Life:  Relections of a combat medic

Close

Thank you  / Dan B. (None)
Nate was a fine young man. My family suffered some losses in WW2 and I can feel the pain even now. Thank you for allowing his light to shine on in rememberance of his contribution to freedom. If no one defends freedom it will die, and unfortunately some will die to defend it. He did his duty to God and Country. Thank you Nate. Close

All Gave Some, Some Gave ALL  / Erin White (friend)
Nathan will continue to live in our hearts forvever. His presence was enough to light up a room. Nathan made it his duty to make the most out of each and every day. He set out each day to reach the top of the mountain but at the end of the day he had reached the moon. I had chosen not to attend the funeral but in no way was it out of disrespect for Maria, Erin or Riley. Also being an other half of a deployed Marine i could not find it in myself to attend. Nathan has impacted my life since the day i first met him in his FFA jacket making cottan candy to know when i say a prayer for him and his family every morning. Nathan will never be forgotten. He died doing what he loved, serving our great country and providing freedom for his beautiful little girl. Nathan is a true hero. He shines through every time that beautiful little girl smiles. I miss him truly. Close

moms of marines.com  / Helen Allman (friend)
Maria, I hope you got the portrait I painted of your son... many tears and prayers went into it with the thoughts of your family and the pain you have gone through.... We think of you daily and will never forget you or your son... We love you forever.... Helen Allman. artist, and mother of Marine 4th deployment in Iraq. take care we love you. I hope you like the painting... helen allman... 256-7676556... Close

Light that you still are  / Denise Brooks (Tom's Mom )
Nathan, I am so thankful that your beautiful soul blessed my families life, and so thankful that you came into Tommy's life.  Your light here on Earth maybe dimmer, but the light you added to each of us burns brighter each passing day as we try to live your example, with gusto, and a joy of each moment. Erin, I want you to know that we are all here for you in anyway or any need, just call, just as we would have done for Nathan, we would be so honored to do for you
Denise  Close

My prayers are with you all!!  / Bob Parrish (Acquaintance)

Erin, Riley Jo, Rob, Maria and Mathew, my prayers go out to all of you. It was my privelege and honor to get to meet all of you. God bless you all. I am very sorry for your loss... Even though I was not fortunate enough to get to know Nathan, I have a good sense of what type of man he was. He will be missed.

Close

Im praying for you  / Desiree Fuentes (friend)
Erin and Rylie Jo-
   I am so sorry to hear the terrible news of your lose.Erin,I know your a strong person and you'll pull through this.You have very loving and supportive people around you.Always keep them close!!You and Nathan have a beautiful daughter.Take care of her and yourself.You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers!!!
                                      Love,
                                     Desiree Fuentes(friend of Sara's)
                                   Close

One of A Kind!  / Angela Diaz-Gonzalez (friend)

Nathan was the most thoughtful unselfish person I ever knew. He had the most positive outlook on life and will be missed deeply. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of his family, his wife and beautiful daughter. God Bless. 

Close

Beautiful Family  / Sheri RATIHN
Erin, Nathan, & Riley Jo, What a beautiful family and what a beautiful love! I personally never had the chance to get to know Nathan, but I felt like I knew him from the times Erin would call and talk to me about him. He sure did come in like a prince on a white horse and sweep his princess away. Now they have a beautiful daughter, and through her Nathan will live on forever. Erin is a strong, beautiful, and smart women and I know she will continue to keep Nathan's memory alive in her heart and also in the hearts of everyone who knew him. My condolences to all the family and friends who had to put to rest a wonderful son, brother, husband, Daddy, & friend. Close