Fallen Edmond soldier honored for sacrifice

EDMOND, Okla. (AP) An Edmond soldier killed in Iraq is remembered as a prankster who lived life to fullest. <br/><br/>21-year-old Private First Class David Martin was one of four soldiers killed October

Wednesday, November 9th 2005, 5:03 am

By: News On 6

EDMOND, Okla. (AP) An Edmond soldier killed in Iraq is remembered as a prankster who lived life to fullest.

21-year-old Private First Class David Martin was one of four soldiers killed October 31st when a roadside bomb exploded near their Humvee.

Martin's three brothers remembered their him during funeral services in Edmond as a selfless patriot who died doing what he loved.

Older brother Neil Martin said yesterday that his brother was born on the perfect day -- April Fool's Day. He recalled how his brother meticulously planned out pranks and rarely got caught.

Martin also was remembered as an avid outdoorsman, and pictures flashed on a big screen during the ceremony showing him in his kayak, riding a motorcycle and hiking in the mountains. His yellow kayak greeted mourners as they entered the church.

The three Martin brothers also remembered him with tattoos on their arms of a cross and dog tags with the words - quote - ``My brother, my hero.''

About a half-dozen members of a Kansas church tried to protest outside the church, but were drowned out by more than a hundred motorcyclists who showed up to support the Martin family.