South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

Affton man honored for military service

Navy Senior Chief Yeoman Kevin Martin of Affton recently was presented a resolution by Sen. Jim Lembke of Lemay for receiving the Abraham Lincoln Union Leadership Award from the Stennis Center for Public Service.

The award is presented annually on or around Feb. 12 — Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.

“It is a privilege and an honor to present a resolution to this great man and true American hero,” Lembke stated in a news release.

Martin began his military career in 1994, serving with the U.S. Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor. After a number of assignments and commendations, he now reports to the USS Abraham Lincoln.

A recipient of numerous Navy and Marine Corps commendation medals, Martin will be deployed to Iraq at the end of this month after a short visit home to St. Louis.

U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan of St. Louis also honored Martin with a proclamation for receiving the Abraham Lincoln Union Leadership Award.

On a sad note, Martin also visited with his younger brother Ryan Ford, who was injured in an automobile accident Sept. 21.

Ford, who is married and the father of three preschool-age children, was left with serious debilitating injuries due to the accident. He now is in a wheelchair and still facing a number of surgeries.

An area hospital is providing Ford with medical care, but the family has no home of their own. They are currently residing with Ford’s father in Affton. A trust fund at Bank of America has been established for the Ford family. Those interested in aiding this young family can contact Deborah Garms, mother of Martin and Ford, at 4033 Lakewood Drive, De Soto, Mo. 63020, according to the news release.