Austin Salutes Marine Lance Cpl. Martin

Wanted to serve 'something bigger than myself'

Updated: Friday, 13 Apr 2012, 1:06 PM CDT
Published : Friday, 13 Apr 2012, 8:54 AM CDT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Martin says he felt the call to serve.

"I joined the USMC to become part of something that was bigger than myself," the Austin native told KXAN during a phone interview from Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan.

Martin is an aviation electronics technician with the Marine Corps and works on avionics systems from the AV-8B Harrier and MV-22 Osprey.

"The avionics systems I repair ensure aircraft can perform missions which support ground combat forces," he said during Monday's "Austin Salutes" segment.

There's a tradition of military service in Martin's family. His grandfather was in the Navy.

"I love spending quality time with my family and watching my daughter grow up," said Martin, whose "mother lives in Cedar Park. I love to ride my motorcycle and play football."

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