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thedrifter
11-21-07, 06:17 AM
'I'm just doing my job'
Marine returns to Naperville after first tour of duty in Iraq

November 20, 2007
By Tim Waldorf Staff Writer

Lance Cpl. Kevin Martin didn't know how important he was - even to those who don't know him - until he returned home to Naperville on Monday after his first tour of duty with the U.S. Marines in Iraq.

His flight from Atlanta to Chicago was delayed two hours, but upon his arrival, Kevin, 24, was greeted by more than 200 well-wishers. All but a few of them were travelers who made their way to his gate to express their gratitude. Midway Airport personnel had used the public address system to invite people to meet at the gate and help welcome him home.

"Older gentlemen were crying, hugging me and giving me money as a gift to my son so that he could go out to lunch," said Paula Martin, his mother.

"I've never seen anything like it," said Sean Martin, Kevin's older brother.

The warm reception didn't stop there.

A limousine provided by Belgio's Chauffeuring whisked Kevin, Paula, Sean and Kevin's younger sister, Teresa, to the Holiday Inn Select in Naperville. There, Naperville Mayor George Pradel and more than a dozen flag-waving Patriot Guard Riders who spent a cool, misty Monday morning awaiting Kevin's arrival saluted him as he emerged from the limo. Hugs and handshakes abounded, bagpipes played the Marines hymn and former Marines shouted "Hoorah!" as Pradel - a former Marine, himself - led Kevin into a standing ovation from those attending the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce's monthly luncheon, which coincided with Kevin's arrival.

"From the mayor and City Council, and from 147,000 people, thank you, thank you, thank you!" Pradel told Kevin.

Then, Patriot Guard Riders climbed onto their bikes and Naperville police jumped into their cruisers and escorted Kevin's limo to Judd Kendall Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3873, where lunch awaited everyone.

Doug Askren, a U.S. Army veteran and ride captain with the northern Illinois Patriot Guard Riders, recalled his return to the state after serving as a helicopter mechanic in Vietnam.

Kevin said he was blown away by the reception.

"Honestly, there are so many people that could be standing here right now, accepting this," he said. "I'm really honored, but I'm no hero by any means. I'm just doing my job."

Since March, Martin had been stationed in the western Iraq province of Al-Anbar, in the city of Barwana. During his time there, he "ran a lot of convoys (on) re-supply missions." He also acted as a security force within the city, manning different traffic checkpoints throughout the city, and trained Iraqi police.

"But overall our mission was to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people, and we pretty much accomplished that," Kevin said.

Contact Tim Waldorf at twaldorf@scn1.com or 630-416-5270.

Ellie