February 9, 2006

Come rain or shine

‘True American postman’ Manny Martinez retires, leaving
legacy of service and friendship to the people of New Almaden

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Everyone in New Almaden knows Manny because he’s delivered their mail for the past 18 years. More than that, however, he’s become a friend and someone the community depends on.

Martinez on Mischievous Cal Bar in a competition in Watsonville. Photo courtesy of Manny Martinez

“Of all the postmen we’ve had, Manny has been the most concerned with the community,” said longtime New Almaden resident Kitty Monahan. “If someone was in trouble, he was always there to help. He’d deliver our holiday baskets to people who needed help and he kept an eye on the neighborhood. We even made him our grand marshal at one of the Almaden Day parades!”

An idyllic childhood
Manny Martinez was born in Salinas and grew up in Gilroy. The family had horses and as a boy he worked on the ranch: calving, pushing, sorting cattle and branding. He has vivid recollections of playing games on his grandfather’s land at Via Lobos Village on Rucker Road. The family celebrated birthdays, holidays by cooking and barbecuing while Manny and his brothers played baseball and basketball. His grandfather grew cucumbers and Martinez remembers driving with him to San Martin to sell the produce.

“My grandfather didn’t have a driver’s license so he would take the back roads when he drove his pick-up to San Martin to sell the cucumbers he grew,” said Martinez fondly remembering his childhood. “I must have been 6 or 7 and on the way back he would buy a six-pack and let me drive home. For a nickel candy bar and a dime for a coke, he had his own private taxi and I got to drive.”

Vietnam
The 1950s contentment changed into the radical ‘60s. The Vietnam War began. In 1970 Martinez was 19 and enlisted in the U.S. Marines, serving two life-changing years in the war-torn country, even though his half brother died there in 1967. Along life’s way, he suffered discrimination for his Hispanic ethnicity and a near-death experience.

“I was dead,” said Martinez, remembering the priest kissing the cloth and opening the Bible after being wounded by enemy fire three months after arriving in Vietnam. “A young Marine picked up my hand. I could see holes in his jacket and we walked to a very bright light. As we approached, I saw other soldiers going to the light. All the pain was gone. I had a high sweet feeling and I was so happy. Suddenly, a black hand yanked me back and the pain was back. There was no feeling in my legs and blood was all over my right eye.”

Martinez was transported to Japan for recovery. He witnessed more atrocities such as the young soldier who had lost his eye, his fingers and would never walk again. Martinez decided he would leave the hospital before he experienced the same treatment. Still in pain, he passed the doctor’s physical. Besides, he wanted to get even with the enemy and went back to finish his tour.

“They couldn’t believe it when I came back,” said Martinez who received the Purple Heart and other medals for his service. “I was pretty crazy. I’d take the front line. They called me Mad Max. I just didn’t care and I was very good at what I did. I questioned my belief in God. I was lost.”

Germany
After ending his tour in Vietnam as a corporal, Martinez enlisted for a four-year stint in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Germany where he worked with the German Police investigating and “chasing bad guys.”

“Traveling wasn’t out of my system yet,” said Martinez. “I had a great time, enjoyed meeting new people and experiencing different cultures.”

Martinez affectionately remembers his travels in Europe and his German girlfriend, Annie. The two often would walk arm in arm strolling through the countryside visiting friends. One day a man asked the Army sergeant if he would do him a favor.

“He asked if I would bring him a piece of meat,” said Martinez. “It was very expensive and I said sure. He wanted to pay me but I said no. He insisted on giving us fresh vegetables from his garden. Then he asked for a bottle of whiskey and I gave him some. My grandparents taught me that if someone does something for you, you reciprocate. I cherish these memories of my friends. They say that Heidelberg means a witch will cast a spell on you and you will have to return. I still would like to go back to visit.”

Back in the United States
Martinez returned to the United States in 1978 and settled in Hollister. He obtained a police science degree from Gavilan College and contemplated his future. The young man had a few odd jobs before joining the U.S. Post Office becoming a mail carrier. In 1988, his service was transferred to the New Almaden area. He even called it home for a brief period when he lived there for three years.

“This was a dream job,” said Martinez. “I am going to miss the people on my route. I saw their kids born and grow up. I loved the community and the people there and wanted to give back. It was a joy and a privilege to deliver their mail.”

Manny Martinez [center] at the 1999 dedication of the ore cart mailbox with many of his New Almaden friends. The ore cart was later moved to the inside of the Casa Grande property due to vandalism.

But Martinez did more than deliver New Almaden’s mail. If a resident didn’t pick up their mail, he would check on them. When he began delivering, the community didn’t use the post office for delivery packages. He changed that and would deliver the items to their door. If someone needed help, he was always there. And if there was a car that didn’t look like it belonged in New Almaden, Martinez would call the sheriff’s office.

An annual holiday tradition is the delivery of food baskets to neighbors who need a little extra help. The donations were collected at the New Almaden post office. Martinez would select the families and deliver the much needed items on his own time in his own truck. At Christmas, there were donated gifts to give to the kids. But Martinez credits Kitty Monahan, Peggy Melbourne and others for the generosity saying that he just delivered the gift baskets and that “the greatest thing was seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces.”

New Almaden Quicksilver Museum [NAQM] park interpreter Terri Sanislo-Williams lived in New Almaden for several few years and speaks fondly of Martinez. She remembers that he would check on her as he did with many of the residents who lived alone. NAQM park interpreter John Slenter and docent Dennis Moran said he was also the first to volunteer whether installing the new ore cart mailbox at the Casa Grande or moving it to the inside of the grounds due to vandalism.

“Manny was the designated individual who truly served the New Almaden community,” said resident Mike Boulland. “He was a postman who knew all the people and helped. He is a true American postman.”

Retirement and beyond
So after 30 years of U.S. government service, Manny Martinez is retiring.

“I could have stayed and worked another 10 years, but they’ve taken the service out of postal service,” said Martinez who won a discrimination suit against the post office for race and gender. “They make it difficult for carriers to do their job. They’ve forgotten what service is all about. Big brother is always watching. They even have bar codes on the mail boxes to see where you are on your route.”

Manny Martinez christens the new ore cart mailbox in front of Casa Grande. Photos courtesy of the New Almaden Quicksilver Museum archives.

Martinez was even reprimanded when he stopped to help someone on his route who had broken a hip because that wasn’t his job. But Martinez has more important things to think about now. He says he has no “sour grapes” regarding his service because the people he delivered mail for made it all worthwhile. He has moved to Morgan Hill. His childhood affection for horses remains and he speaks lovingly about his mare Smart Lena Gees and her mother Mischievous Cal Bar.

“Miss Lena is like a granddaughter to me,” said Martinez. “I saw her being born. Some people think they’re just animals but they’re more than that. They are God-given and born on this earth for us to take care of.”

Martinez is a member of the American Quarter Horse Association, National Cutting Horse Association, Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association and the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association. He plans to show Miss Lena in cutting competitions.

That is when he’s not visiting his old friends in New Almaden.