M.Y. Hero 5K

About M.Y. HERO 5K and 1mile fun run/walk
Martin Young was born and raised in Double Springs, Alabama, to Burnis and Barbara Young. He graduated from WCHS in 1987. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Teresa, for 22 years. They have 2 children, Cody and Caleb and one grandchild-Connor. He devoted a majority of his time through the years to helping with football and basketball. He loved being involved with his boys and their friends. He joined the National Guard in 1988 and served during Operation Desert Storm. He got out of the guard in 1996. He spent countless hours helping others, never asking for anything in return. He would often mow someone's grass while they weren't home and never let them know that he was the one who did it. If you were fortunate to have known him, you would know that Martin loved life.He loved to joke and cut up with people. He loved to make people laugh. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and just spending time with his family and friends. In November of 2008, he decided to rejoin the National Guard. He always felt the need to serve during war time. He often stated that he didnt feel like a veteran because he served stateside during Operation Desert Storm. I told him that I didn't want him to re-enlist, but I understood and would stand beside him 100%. He was deployed to Afghanistan in May of 2009. We talked on the phone or via webcam almost every day (twice a day most of the time). He returned home in April 2010. After returning home, he seemed ok but not the usual outgoing person that he was before. He attended counseling through the VA. He was released from counseling on February 8, 2011. PTSD claimed his life on February 15, 2011. Martin's family and friends have decided to honor his memory by creating a scholarship in his name. The Martin Young Memorial Scholarship will be given to 2 Seniors from WCHS (one girl and one boy) each year. To help fund the scholarships, we are having a 5K and 1mile fun run/walk to be held annually in his hometown of Double Springs, Alabama.