To Martin Widmer, Veterans Day is not celebrated just on Nov. 11. The 18-year-old member of Mater Ecclesiae Parish, Berlin, makes it his mission to honor veterans year-round.
“On both sides of my family, almost every male has been in the service,” Widmer said. “My mother was in the ROTC in college, and my dad was in the Marine Corps. Ever since I was young, I was raised to have respect and understand what [veterans] give for our freedom.”
Widmer and his younger sister, Rosie, followed the example of their mother, Shannon, and began reaching out to veterans who crossed their path. “We would see someone in a veteran’s cap and thank them for their service. As we got older, we started making [thank you] cards and sending them to a veterans home,” he said.
This past May, Widmer graduated from Liberty University Online Academy with his high school diploma as well as an associate’s degree in theology. (He is in the process of applying to the U.S. Air Force Academy and is taking college courses in the interim.) While an undergraduate, he participated in the Federation of North-American Explorers, a Catholic faith-based, outdoor youth movement in Canada and the United States based on the methods of Venerable Jacques Sevin, SJ, and others.
The teen’s flexible education schedule allowed him to continue his work with veterans, volunteering with area “Stand Down” events, which offer homeless veterans meals, clothing and necessities. In addition, Widmer visits the N.J. Veterans Memorial Home-Vineland, where he helps veterans celebrate at the monthly birthday parties, and visits Veterans Haven South Transitional Housing, Winslow, where he plays board games with the residents.
“They are bundled up in their room all day,” he explained. “This gets them out and moving and brightens up their day. Often their families are not involved in their lives, and this is always really appreciated.”
Widmer is a member of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 262, Audubon, serving as the post’s chaplain as well as chaplain for the Sons of the American Legion Camden County. This role requires him to send cards of encouragement, healing and sympathy, as well as often lighting candles at his home parish for the veterans in need.
Charles Ross, commander of the Audubon post, expressed his admiration of the teen’s many corporal works of mercy for area veterans.
“Marty has a great knack for it,” Ross said. “He comes over to the Vets Haven on his own time, and assists residents to apply for jobs since he is computer savvy. He holds hoagie sales for them six times a year, serves as sergeant-at-arms and is part of the Resolution 22 Committee for Camden County, which tries to mitigate and prevent veteran suicide.”
Ross added, “I am not able to continue this year as squad leader due to my work obligations, but the first person who popped into my head to take over was Marty. When he hits his stride, he will be unstoppable.”
Not surprisingly, Widmer was recognized for his service and dedication to veterans at the 52nd National Convention of the Sons of the American Legion, held Aug. 23-25 in New Orleans. He was presented with the organization’s Marvin P. Nay Outstanding Veterans Education and Employment Contributor of the Year Award with more than 70 reported hours assisting homeless veterans, as well as the Charles B. Rigsby Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Volunteer of the Year Award with more than 460 hours volunteering with veterans.
Widmer has a practical, faith-based message for teens who may be reluctant to volunteer with veterans: put themselves in the other man’s shoes.
“Why not? What do you have to lose?” he queried. “Yes, they may be old, but you are going to get old, too. They were our age once and are still human and have feelings. They are the biggest reason we are able to have our own beliefs now.”
“Thank God for giving me the ability to do what I do and the passion to help others who do without,” he said.
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