Friends, family recall the passion and drive of Marine killed in Iraq

By Sarah Halasz
Staff Writer

October 21, 2004

At the start of his freshman year at North Lauderdale Academy High School, Oscar Martinez didn't look much like a star athlete.

"He was a short, pudgy kid," said Harold Pearson, a former head football coach at the school. "I asked him, `Have you ever played football?'" Pearson said. "He said, `No, but I'm gonna give you everything I got.'"

And sure enough, just as friends said he did in every aspect of his life before he was killed last week in Iraq, Martinez gave football his all.

"He turned himself into a great football player," Pearson said at a remembrance ceremony Wednesday to honor Marine Pfc. Martinez's life.

The ceremony was at the school, where Martinez, 19, graduated in 2003.

Martinez was killed last week when a mortar round exploded at a U.S. base in Anbar province, where he and his unit were eating. He had only been in Iraq for three weeks before he died, said his aunt, Silvia Martinez.

About 300 friends, family, students, teachers and city officials packed the gymnasium as some of Martinez's closest friends spoke of his drive, maturity, kindness and dedication.

"Oscar Martinez was a man with a mission," said North Lauderdale Commissioner Jack Brady, who lived around the corner from Martinez. "Ever since he was a little boy, he wanted to become a Marine."

Brady described Martinez's devotion to losing weight in order to join the Marines. He said Martinez dropped 30 to 40 pounds by running daily.

"Well, Oscar, you did it. You achieved your dream. You became a Marine," Brady said, pausing to fight back tears. "You demonstrated that you are the best."

Martinez joined the Marines before he graduated high school last year. He reported for duty in December and was stationed in Japan before he went to Iraq.

Silvia Martinez said her nephew was not scared going into the war-torn country.

"He knew going into it that he would be sent there," she said. "He had no fear."

Oscar Martinez and his three younger siblings -- Morena, 18; Marta, 13; and Ricardo, 11 -- lived with their uncle and grandmother after their mother died about nine years ago.

A large group of Oscar Martinez's friends from high school also attended the memorial.

Veronica McKinley was one of three friends who spoke about him.

"He was such a nice, caring, loyal person," she said as she started to cry. "Oscar will never, ever be forgotten. He gave his life for you, for me, for everyone."

While some speeches brought tears to the audience, others brought smiles, laughter and memories of Martinez's goofier side.

A slide show created by the high school's cinematography class showed photos of Martinez as a young boy, as a teenager with his friends and, finally, as a Marine.

One photo showing Martinez shoving food into his mouth brought smiles, especially to his family.

"He ate a lot," said Marta Martinez. "That picture ... that's what reminded me most of him."

Marta Martinez said her brother would sometimes eat six pupusas in one sitting. The Salvadoran pastry made from corn meal was one of his favorites, she said.

A wake for Oscar Martinez will be 3 to 9 p.m. today at Kraeer Funeral Home, 1 N. State Road 7 in Margate. A funeral will be Friday at St. Vincent Church, 6350 NW 18th St. in Margate.