Everyday Ministry shines the spotlight on those who try to stay out of it. They’re the ones who stay in the background, quietly doing the small things that make life better for others. They’re all around you. To nominate someone for an Everyday Ministry feature, please send information to editor@spiritofabilene.com. Include the name of the person being nominated, contact info, and the reason for the nomination. Include a photo if you have one.

By Loretta Fulton

Virgil and Dana Martin are the Good Samaritans of Augusta Drive, just ask anyone who’s ever needed help–or their dogs. 

Virgil retired in December 2018 after a 29-year career as a Chinook helicopter pilot in the Army. He has been a pilot with Air Evac Lifeteam at Hendrick Medical Center since October 2018. His former neighbors on Augusta, Mike and Nancy Patrick, can vouch for just how thoughtful the Martins are.

“Because his work is in shifts, he has a lot of odd times off work and seems to look around for people to help,” Nancy said.

That included helping load the Patricks’ moving van and unloading it a their new home in Wesley Court. Virgil even took the leftovers from the Patricks’ estate sale and included them in his own yard sale. 

Virgil and Dana Martin

Both come by their passion for helping others naturally. Virgil grew up admiring his Uncle Vernon, who was a firefighter in Plainview. He worked several jobs to support his family and always found time to help others

“I learned a lot from him, and it has stuck with me ever since I was a kid,” Virgil said.

Dana, too, has a long track record of service. When the Martins were stationed in Germany, she volunteered for the American Red Cross as a pharmacy tech and now assists her niece with a new baby who has Down Syndrome. When a sister developed breast cancer, Dana would take her to monthly doctor appointments at M.D. Anderson. 

“She would sit through every one of her chemo appointments,” Virgil said.

Once Dana’s sister was in remission, they thought they could take a break, but Dana’s mother had a recurrence of cancer after 15 years. She lived with the Martins, and they took her to her for treatment in Abilene.

“After six months, her mother lost her battle with cancer,” Virgil said. 

Virgil and Dana were sweethearts at Sweetwater High School, graduating in 1989. Virgil joined the Army soon after. Following his career, they wanted to move back closer to home. Both volunteered for Meals on Wheels until Dana’s sister developed breast cancer. Then, the focus shifted to caring for her. 

Dana celebrates with Virgil on the day in April 2023 that he was recognized for his 500th patient flight.

Neither was active in church growing up, but both now serve at Broadview Baptist Church. Virgil is in charge of live streaming services. Dana volunteers her cooking skills for bake sales to raise money for youth camps or for any other requests. And both responded to a request from their pastor to assist two families who needed food assistance at Thanksgiving a year ago. 

“We took everything we were having and put it in a box,” Virgil said, “so they could feel the satisfaction of preparing a Thanksgiving meal.”

Dana is well known on the street for her love of dogs. During the big storm in July, she saw a poodle in the middle of the street that she didn’t recognize. When she figured out where it lived, she got it to follow her to its home. Before that, she saw an elderly man walking his dog when the dog suddenly bolted and pulled the man to the ground. He was seriously injured, and Dana helped him. A few months later, saw the man calling the dog when it got out. Dana saw the dog down the street and was able to get him to follow her back to his owner.

Cross that Dana gave Virgil for his first combat deployment in the Army. He has carried it every day since then.

Virgil said he and Dana try to live by the Golden Rule, and their neighbors are grateful.

“Since there are quite a few older couples on our street,” he said, “we try to be as neighborly as possible if we see anything that needs taken care of.”

Loretta Fulton is creator and editor of Spirit of Abilene