Martin mourned

PortervilleÂ’s latest victim to the war in Iraq was laid to rest Wednesday after being recalled as a role model and a good son during services conducted in Porterville and later in Tulare.

As Sgt. Timothy Paul MartinÂ’s wooden casket was pulled out of a white car and lifted inside of St. AnneÂ’s Catholic Church on Wednesday morning, rain drizzled down, creating puddles on the street.

The sky was overcast. And the hundreds of mourners were mostly dressed in black for the funeral of Martin, 27, of Pixley, who was among four soldiers killed Feb. 8 while serving in Iraq.

Inside the church, an organ played music while MartinÂ’s casket was placed before the altar. The Rev. Scott Daugherty, dressed in a cream-colored robe, led the with Mass of the resurrection.

"There is no greater challenge to a parent than to come to a time like this," Daugherty said.

Three flickering candles were placed near the casket: the sitting mourners remained silent while Daugherty spoke. At times, tears welled in the eyes of some of those present.

"We come before the cross on days like this," Daugherty said, "so we can remember why the crucifix is before us."

He continued with a description of Sgt. Martin: "He knew the challenge before him and the risk" with going to Iraq.

"He made the ultimate sacrifice," Daugherty said. "It was a price paid for a greater good."

Sgt. MartinÂ’s sister, Alisa Martin, said a few words about his childhood.

"Timothy and his sisters lived on a little farm almost isolated from the rest of the world and so they would play in ways that he would creatively invent," she said. "The favorite being a train of roped-together baby stroller, skateboard and Crest Hot Wheel tricycle."

She went on about his college days.

"TimÂ’s intellect would soon become obvious in his excelling in genetics and math, understanding and explaining concepts of which he had no prior knowledge," she said. "It was this brilliance that he hoped to challenge one day as an agent of the FBI."

She continued with words about what could have been ahead for her brother.

"A life ended in its prime, with so much ahead," she said. "However, it was a life lived well. It was a life that has and will continue to inspire those that knew him and many that didnÂ’t."

"In his brief time on Earth, I hope that he came to know love like our parents know," she said. "I hope that he did not know fear in his last moments. I hope that I can live a life deserving of Heaven so that I may one day see him again."

After Daugherty and Alisa Martin spoke at the church, some knelt before the altar in remembrance of Sgt. Martin.

"The whole thing is heart breaking," Mary Ann Drum, a mourner from Porterville, said in an interview as church bells rang amid the rain. "I pray to God for his family."

Some 219 pupils from the adjacent St. AnneÂ’s School waved American flags as Sgt. MartinÂ’s casket was being driven to his burial site in Tulare. Sgt. Martin graduated from St. AnneÂ’s in 1994 before moving on to Monache High School.

Before Sgt. MartinÂ’s body was to be laid to rest at the Tulare Public Cemetery District, more rain poured down. The grounds of the cemetery were soaked.

"He could have been successful at any profession, but he was drawn to a life of service to others," Gen. Robert Brown of the 25th Infantry Division said of Sgt. Martin before the burial. "He chose selfless service toward the cause of freedom over the comforts of an easier life. ... Tim excelled during the tough times. In combat, he was a role model for all to follow and he consistently volunteered for the toughest missions."

Sgt. MartinÂ’s father, Tony Martin, echoed BrownÂ’s words.

"He was a good son," Tony Martin said. "He had courage. HeÂ’d take on anything."