Final Salute for Fallen Savannah Soldier

SAVANNAH, Ga.—Family and friends said goodbye to Staff Sgt. Vernon Martin at Bonaventure Cemetery Monday evening.

Mourners gathered around the flag-draped coffin to say farewell to the Savannah native.

After a song and prayer, a military gun salute and the playing of taps followed.

Then the flag on the coffin was removed and folded. Brigadier General Jennifer Napper then presented folded flags to Martin’s wife Brittany, his mother, and his three young children.

Family members say they were thankful for the show of community support.

“We never get this in life. It’s only in our passing that people turn out like this, and he would’ve been proud. He would’ve been proud. He was a father, and he would’ve done anything for his children, and he did. This is proof of it,“ said Martin’s uncle Owen Marshall.

Martin was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado, and had already served a tour in Iraq before going to Afghanistan with his unit in May.  Seven other soldiers were killed in the same attack on October 3.