Sailor comes home for 2-week leave
Christopher Martini's fourth tour in Afghanistan was heralded Tuesday night, when he returned home to Butler for two weeks of leave.
Martini, an electronics technician first class who joined the Navy after his graduation from Butler High School in 2006, was escorted from the Pittsburgh International Airport to his parents' home on Christie Avenue by the American Legion Riders.
Dennis Kimmel of the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company said about 10 firefighters paid tribute to Martini by hanging a huge American flag from the tower truck over the northbound lanes of Interstate 79 where the escort passed.
Kimmel said the firefighters, dressed in their duty uniforms and crew shirts, saluted as Martini's procession passed.
In Evans City, hundreds of residents turned out on Main Street to cheer Martini, just as they have for every military procession that has come through the borough.
Mayor Dean Zinkhann said Martini got out of his vehicle and walked partway up Main Street, greeting and thanking residents who turned out to wish him well or thank him for his service.
Zinkhann said both police and fire vehicles escorted Martini through the town. Martini then traveled to the American Legion Post 117 on Main Street in Butler, where his parents, Carl and Libby Martini, are members.
Carl Martini said his family will celebrate Christmas with Chris, whose six-month deployment prevented him from participating in the holidays at home.
“We still have our Christmas tree up,” Carl Martini said. “Chris' presents are still under the tree.”
The elder Martini on Tuesday afternoon waited on tenterhooks to leave for the airport to pick up his son.“What can I say?” Martini said. “It's always so wonderful to have him home.”
