Fairleigh Dickinson University named alumnus George Martin among the inaugural recipients of The PINNACLE award for outstanding alumni. A two-time member of FDU’s Board of Trustees, Martin also earned the FDU board’s Distinguished Achievement Award.

Martin was one of the first Giants players to participate in Fairleigh Dickinson’s degree-completion program and helped promote the program to other players. The program became a model for the NFL and other professional athletes.

Martin attended the University alongside his wife, Dianne, AA’87 (T), BS’92 (R). “We were high school sweethearts, so it was like rekindling old memories,” he recalls.

Dianne is closely involved with Martin’s cross-country journey and serves as his travel and event coordinator. “She’s used to my crazy ideas,” Martin says, “but she has been wholeheartedly supportive. And all four of my children have helped with the program.” His youngest son, a certified trainer, helped Martin prepare for the grueling activity.

His training included months of daily walking up to 50 miles a day. The 54-year-old Martin would rise at 4:30 a.m., walk about 13 miles to Bear Mountain, and then walk the 12 1/2-mile length of the park. He’d then often do another 25 miles in the afternoon and evening.

The journey began on Sunday, September 16, with a ceremony on the New York side of the George Washington Bridge. Among those on hand were representatives of the New York police and fire departments, the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey and other first responders. Accompanied by a motorcade of police officers, Martin then walked to New Jersey for a brief ceremony at one of the participating hospitals, Hackensack University Medical Center. It was then on to Giants Stadium, where he was honored at halftime ceremonies during the Giants’ home opener.

A colorful motor home accommodates Martin and his support team.

Throughout the journey, Martin has been accompanied by a support team that includes a medical technician, a New York City police officer and an individual who drives the group’s motor home. He has taken many safety precautions, such as keeping plenty of fluids on hand, wearing reflector vests, undergoing frequent medical checks and taking plenty of rest breaks.

Martin selected a southern route to avoid the hazards of inclement weather: from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

He walks full time five days a week, then strolls more leisurely on Saturday and takes Sundays off. While he and other walkers who have joined him for a spell have met with a variety of minor ailments and injuries (from blisters to bee stings), Martin hasn’t experienced any major problems or setbacks.

Along the way, various fundraising events have been held, and Martin stops often to meet his many supporters. “There has literally been an endless stream of supporters, contributors and interested onlookers,” he says.

Among the many interesting stops along the journey was a NASCAR event in North Carolina in which Martin experienced a “ride-a-long” in a Richard Petty stock car at more than 170 miles per hour. He was also invited to Washington, D.C., by members of Congress to introduce a 9/11 bill on the steps of the nation’s capital. In addition, he was presented a $10,000 check by the NFL Players Association at the Lincoln Memorial.

Martin also has taken a couple of breaks from his trek to attend his son’s wedding in Mexico and to return to New York, where he was presented with the Heisman Humanitarian Award.

During the walk, Martin has been the focus of many local and national media spotlights, and was selected as an ABC “Person of the Week” by Charles Gibson. On some days, he conducts nine or 10 interviews, which he welcomes enthusiastically, despite the fact that such requests often interrupt his walking schedule.

Martin is quick to credit the many supporters who helped make his journey possible. “I would like to acknowledge and commend all those who were instrumental in bringing this event to fruition. The names are far too numerous to mention, however, it is truly a labor of love on behalf of all involved.”

He adds, “We live in a beautiful and diverse country. We have met people of many backgrounds and vocations. I will treasure the events and stories for the rest of my life.”

Martin joked before the journey that once he reached his final destination, he would look for a nice hotel in which to sleep for about a week. “Seriously, though,” he told one interviewer, “I can’t wait to return to New York to present a check to those hospitals to help care for these great heroes.”

For more information or to contribute,
go to www.ajourneyfor911.org.

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For a print copy of FDU Magazine, featuring this and other stories, contact Rebecca Maxon, editor,
201-692-7024 or maxon@fdu.edu.