by Ron Mackovich-Rodriguez
“My name’s Daniel Martin. I’m 65 years old, 5-foot-9, 214 pounds, blue eyes, left-handed. Four sons, three grandchildren. U.S. Army 1977 to 1980.”
That is the straightforward way Daniel Martin starts talking to other veterans — something he’s regularly called to do. Many of them, like Martin, have had difficulties since leaving active duty.
“It’s a simple way to begin,” Martin said. “Straightforward, so they can relate to me.”
It’s been a banner year for this modest man, who was named the 2025 Veteran of the Year at UCLA in November. He accepted the award at the university’s annual Veterans Day reception November 6.
Two days later, he was recognized before 53,000 fans at the Rose Bowl. “There were so many people that day, telling me, ‘Good job, thank you for your service, way to go,’” he said. “I was humbled, and at the same time I had a true sense of self-worth that was gratifying.”
