Paco
Francisco T. Martinez
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My son's remains were put to rest yesterday in the Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery. It was military burial with full honors. Just before we parted to the hollow ground we were given over medal...
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As many of you know, I have an interest in long range shooting. Here in Texas, there are quite a few shooting ranges that sport...
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Memorial Day 2007
What is recorded in history though, is that Sgt. Fischer along with another 4 airmen held his post at Bunker O51 located on the west side of the Tan Son Nhut Air Base even when over 600 attackers attempted to overrun the air base. Although mortally wounded, Sgt. Fischer continued to fight after all of his team members were apparently either dead or dying. He knew the importance of giving time to the blocking force to halt the advance of the North Vietnamese forces.
After running out of ammunition, Sgt. Fischer still communicated to the end, indicating enemy positions and losses, which eventually allowed the blocking forces to push the enemy off the base.
NVA soldiers reached the walls of the bunker, sprayed the inside with AK-47 automatic fire. One by one the Security Policemen's guns fell silent... and with a final radio transmission... they were gone. The Security Policemen in O51 Bunker fought to their death --to the last man-- after taking 20 direct rocket hits from the main attack thrust.
Do you know how hard it is to be posted at an emplacement knowing that the enemy knows your position but you don't know his? To me, the only viable motivation to put aside your own instinct of preservation and not abandon your post is knowing that you and your men are the last hope that the other men and women on that air base as well as their loved ones waiting for them back home have of keeping them safe.
While standing on an Iraqi neighborhood, my son Paquito ended at the cross hairs of an opposing force gunman. His death brought horrible searing pain to myself and the rest of his loved ones back home. Yet had he not enlisted, had he refused to deploy, some other soldier would have been at those cross hairs. It would irrefutably been some other family mourning the lost of their son or daughter this Memorial Day.
I am not making a case for all able United States citizen to try out and do a 3 year contract with the armed service branch of your choice. Rather, I would like for all of us residents of this nation to take a momentary pause and remember all of the fallen that regardless of how they felt about politics, their own personal interest or their ongoing pursuit of happiness, selflessly gave their lives so that others may live and comeback home to their loved ones.
Happy birthday Maria! I love you so much and will forever thank you for all of your support.
PS
I will be a guest of the CNN Newsroom on the afternoon show this Memorial Day. Right after my participation, the family and I will be meeting a the Dallas National Cemetery to put flowers at Paquito's grave.
Comments: Memorial Day 2007
Paco,
While waiting to spend the day with friends/family today, I saw an amazing man present to the nation the most heart felt meaning to what this day's purpose is about, remembering those who have give their lives for the security, comfort, life we each live in this great country. I lost my brother, LCPL Trace A. Farrow, USMC, years ago; keeping his flag in the most prominent place in my home.
Out of honor for your son, and with deep respect for a person we can all model part of our lives from, Mr. Francisco Martinez Sr., I have placed that flag which covered my brother proudly as I escorted him home...outside my home...flying for you, your son, and a brother.
Semper Fi!
Randy Farrow
USCMR
This Sgt. Fischer whould have fitted well into the Volkssturm, they were drilled as well to fight until death in a losing war. So he's hardly a role model for the youth.
Hello Mr. Martinez.
I am a Senior Manager for a movie theatre in San Antonio, Tx. I saw your segment on CNN today. You mentioned that you and your son enjoyed movies. I would like to invite you to receive free movies on me. Please contact me via e-mail and I will set it up for you, even if you are in Dallas. We have theatres throughout the US and Canada. I cannot mention the theatre in which I am affiliated due to policy but if you contact me I will fill you in. Thank you for your service. I appreciate our men and women making a difference in the lives of the people in our country and especially abroud. Best to you and your family.
JMM
Paco,
Next week will be a year since we met in Irving(shame on me for not contacting you before). There are no thank you words that can satisfy the gratitude I feel for the time you dedicated to me during that week. I only hope I can payback some day.
The only remember I have of Paquito is of a chubby teenager showing his drawings to my wife
sitting beside him on the sofa of your apartment in Santurce about ten years ago. That image is very different from the young man I saw in the news and the one I'm looking in this blog. From what I've seen and read he was young but confident about his decisions, and their risks. That confidence, so hard to find in adults was a result of the education and the example received from his loved ones.
As a father of two boys (10 and 5) I hope to have the type of relationship you had with yours. That they find in me the friend you were to Paquito. And as me, I'm sure, there are many others that wish the same for their sons or daughters. Be in peace that you were able to do that, and proudly raise a child into a man of excellence. A man that with no interest gave his precious asset. It's sad that his gone at such a young age, but I know that other families are greatful to you because of the spiritual strength that you inspire in such a loss.
I don't need to remind you that I have always admire you for your technical abilities and the way you've master this everchanging environment. Professionally you've been a mentor to me and if it hasn't been for you, today, I would have been sitting in the same chair I was 11 years ago. Personally I feel the need to thank you because you have proven to me that situations happen, is me the one who chooses how to react to them. I can only hope to remember that when the time comes.
As I told you once, When I grow up I want to be like PACO!.
My best regards and blessings to you and Maria.
An old friend,
Angel M. R�os Gonz�lez
Paco,
Thank you for your service. Thank you for the Memorial Day post and the excellent points it contains. I will always remember your son and his sacrifice.
May none of us ever forget.
Paco for President.
Hey, Paco.
I thought about you and Paquito on Memorial Day. My prayers are always with you and your family. Miss seeing your smiling face. God has destined a path for you only a courageous man can walk.
Judy McCann
SSgt Martinez,
I just wanted to say that it was a privilege having you here at the SF Academy. You are the epitome of what an NCO should be. I'll never forget the conversation we had where we discussed why you decided to rejoin the AF. For someone who has already sacrificed so much...to sacrifice even more, to prepare America's Airmen to go to war, made me admire you. Over the last three years I have never run across a student with your skill, determination and desire to succeed. That Distinguished Graduate Award, "Top Graduate", was well deserved. I'm glad you're on our side and am sure we'll run into each other again.
Modesto Saavedra III, TSgt, USAF
TM 12 Element Leader, SF Apprentice Course
343d TRS, Lackland AFB, Texas
"Some of the best USAF fighters operate on the ground."