Mission Accomplished of December 15, 2012

LCpl Michael Martinez

Purcellville, VA

Marine Lance Corporal Michael Martinez was 5 months into his first deployment when he lost both of his legs in an IED blast in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on March 11, 2010. While returning from a firefight, the 5th man in the foot patrol, LCpl. Martinez stepped on an IED resulting in the traumatic amputation of his left leg below the knee and his right leg above the knee. Lifesaving measures by his teammates prepared him for medevac to Camp Dwyer, the local Forward Operating Base (FOB). Mike was later transported to the Camp Bastion Field Hospital before being airlifted to Landstuhl, Germany where he remained for four days. Arriving at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, LCpl Martinez endured more than twenty surgeries and began his physical therapies and rehabilitative treatment. Moving to Bethesda Naval Medical Center after the closing of Walter Reed, Mike remains at Bethesda at this time.

LCpl. Martinez enjoys hunting, fishing, and shooting. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Arts degree and looks forward to raising a family of his own in the future. Mike is looking forward to living in a home that will allow him the mobility he has been working to regain, and the independence he strives to achieve so that he does not need to rely on his parents and family for his everyday needs. When asked what he would like to say to the supporters of his specially adapted home built by Homes for Our Troops, LCpl. Martinez stated, “Thank you for giving me the chance to get back to having a normal life. I am so grateful for your assistance. This home will make a huge difference in my quality of life and I cannot thank you enough.”

Click here to view Key Ceremony photos and video.