This page is dedicated to Matt's mother and all the moms who have sons or daughters serving our country in military action.
Behind every Brave Soldier
is a concerned mother,
just like Matt Martino's.
Matt returned home in time to help his father Thomas Martino, Vietnam Vet and President of Chapter 955 V V A with the Wall Ceremony. Matt is a member of the New Jersey Air National Guard and served in Iraq with the 177th Fighter Wing.
A line of police cars and emergency vehicles cleared the way as a Middle Township resident returned home from Iraq.
Matt Martino, 26, of the Del Haven section of Middle Township, returned from a five-month tour of duty and was greeted by family, friends, neighbors and a large contingent of uniformed officers who are coworkers of the lifelong Cape May County resident.
"It just feels good to be back in civilization again," Martino said, as he shook hands with many fellow officers.
Martino is a member of the Air National Guard and served in Iraq with the 177th Fighter Wing, which is based in Egg Harbor Township.
His family said they didn't want to throw a large affair, but it was hard to miss what looked like a parade coming down Route 47 late Tuesday afternoon.
Martino, who serves as a patrolman in the Bravo Squad of the Middle Township Police Department, met up with his fellow officers at the intersection of Routes 47 and 347.
From there, police cars and ambulances flashed their lights for 11 miles in recognition of their fellow officer's return home.
"It's a happy day for Middle Township," said Lt. John Edwards, of the Middle Township Police Department.
Edwards also served in the National Guard and had to leave the police force to serve in the armed forces. This was the first time in Martino's three years on the force that he had to leave.
Officers joked with Martino as they stood for the first time together in five months. Edwards said they were happy to see him alive and well, but reality is setting in, and the Police Department needs every officer ready to go as the summer season approaches.
"If I had my way, he'd be working tomorrow," Edwards said.
While this was not Martino's first trip to Iraq, it wasn't any easier for his family back home, they said.
However, Martino's mother, Debbie Martino, said it was much easier to stay in touch than his last time overseas.
"We Skyped him and he Skyped us," his mother said. "It wasn't any easier with him being away. But it was more bearable this time."
Middle Township police officer welcomed home from Iraq
The following is taken from the
