Honorees

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Year Honored
1999
Honoree
Vicente A Martinez
Agency
Valley AirCare
Agency City
Harlingen
Agency State
TX
Last Call
6/5/98
Cause of Death
Medical Aviation Accident
Biography
"Every time he talked about flying, his eyes would light up," said a friend. He got that special twinkle in his eyes again when he talked about his children.<br /> <br /> Antonio Martinez, 46, of McAllens was a pilot with TEX-Air Helicopters of Houston, Texas. He had been a paramedic and pilot with Valley AirCare since January of 1998. He had approximately 3,000 flight hours and 11 years of pilot experience.<br /> <br /> Mr. Martinez lost his life on a rescue call when the helicopter he was flying crashed in the Rio Grande Valley. The Valley AirCare air ambulance disappeared from radar screens and radio contact on June 5, 1998. Tony, along with his two partners perished in the crash.<br /> <br /> He is survived by his wife, Marta Martinez, and 2 sons, Hunter and Roman.<br /> <br /> Honored 1999