Editor,

We, the Martinez family, would like to thank all of you runners, walkers, and golfers who participated in the Sgt. Glen Martinez Memorial Scholarship 5K Run/Walk and Veterans Golf Tournament on May 28 to support and honor Glen for his service to our country and his Ultimate Sacrifice to fight for our precious freedom.

We want to thank the people who so graciously donated their time to volunteer their services to make these two events possible. A very huge thank you to Becky Tonso, Pat and Cathy Sullivan, Pete and Annette Gonzales, Anika Velasquez, Jeri Gonzales, Brian Lujan and Jim Whitney, who registered all the participants of the 5K and coordinated the finish line activities that made it all run so very smoothly. Big thank you to Glen’s sister, Lori Martinez, for singing the national anthem so heartfelt prior to the start of the 5K race. Thank you to Ron and Pat Rinebarger for lending us your side by side 4-wheeler for Ron to lead the 5K racers. Thank you to Mike Sanchez and family for making all the most delicious breakfast burritos and the oh so scrumptious Green Chili for all the hungry racers. Thank you to Peggy Martinez who made sure all the participants were well taken care of with the coffee, burritos and green chili.

Thank You to all the Veterans Golf Tournament Hole Sponsors: Dr. Dave and Annavee Hinkley, Dr. Brian and Mary Kay Roberts, Brad and Jamie Swartz, Ron Swartz, American Legion Post #53, Taqueria Jose Lopez, SLV Federal Bank, Rio Grande Bank, State Farm Insurance Troy Plane, KSLV Radio Station Bob Richards and I Conergy Ltd.

Thank you to all our local stores, Top Value, Safeway of Monte Vista and Safeway of Alamosa, and Walgreens for donating water, Gatorade and fruits for our runners and walkers, we say thank you very much.  

We appreciate Bob Richards from KSLV Radio Station for being at the race from approximately 5:30 a.m. doing a live broadcast with the runners and walkers and we thank Bob for the announcements for Glen’s events.  

Thank you to the Monte Vista Journal and the Alamosa Courier for advertising these events across the San Luis Valley.

We would like to thank all the Line Sponsors for the 5k Run/Walk and Veterans Golf Tournament: James and Janina Medina, Grant and Emily, The American Legion Jas G. Hamilton Post #53, Hair Experience — Peggy Martinez (In Loving Memory of Justin Moore), Kris, Jess, Jaxxon and Andrew Gonzales and Andrea Craft, Hogue’s Glass-Stan and Jeannie Crowder, Brian Roberts DDS. and Mary Kay, SLV Building Components-The Polkowske Family, Ron and Pat Rinebarger (In Loving Memory of Tracy Aaron Rinebarger), Gunbarrel Station-Skip and Sue McClure, Eddie and Carey Sanchez (In Loving Memory of Rico Nicholas Sanchez), Country Curls – Della Kimberling (In Loving Memory of Van Kimberling and AnneMarie Stone), Kentucky Fried Chicken-Jeff and Sandy Lickteig, Monte Vista Takedown Club, SLV Ski Hi Stampede, INC., The Rio Grande Seed and Grain, Peace of Art - Art and Lori, Lexi, Shane, Spencer, Jasmine and Leia, Southwest Liquor, & Park Avenue Liquor owned and operated by Michael and Tabitha Valdez. 

A special thank you to Wayne Pacheco — Widowmaker Apparel for T-thirts and hats, Jed Ellithorpe and Family, Michelle Burkhart and staff at the Monte Vista Golf Course.

The result of these two events benefits a senior boy and girl with a $1,000 financial boost with the beginning of their higher education.

Glen made the ultimate sacrifice on May 2, 2008, while serving in the United States Marine Corps, Operation Iraqi Freedom. We know Glen would be very proud to know all the support and participation he received from our communities in the Valley and from friends and families from various parts of Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Idaho and South Dakota to honor him this Memorial Weekend. We hope that you all enjoyed yourselves, got to visit with long-time friends and relatives and got some good exercise. The Martinez family hopes to see you all next year! May God bless you all!  Semper Fi!

Martinez family

Monte Vista