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Martin Yost is being honored as Avon’s January Veteran of the Month. Yost joined the Army National Guard in August of 1985 as a 20-year-old young man and is currently in his 39th year of service. Not only did Martin first join because of the educational and initial enlisting benefits, but his father’s military service in Korea played a big part in his decision. Growing up in the small town of Avon, he was greatly influenced by its patriotic nature with flag presentations at parades and members of the American Legion being a part of the community’s fabric. Martin was sent to Fort Bliss in Texas for basic training. After basic, he received AIT training as a combat medic at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. As Martin had been going to school to obtain a degree in wildlife and fisheries, he wanted to choose a military career that was completely different than his degree. He completed his training and returned to complete his degree while still serving in the National Guard in the HHB 2 - 147th Field Artillery Battalion out of Webster. In 1989, Martin was hired as a game warden in the Webster area. He enjoyed his job as a game warden and served for 20 years before taking a full-time position with the South Dakota National Guard in 2007. Taking the full-time position with the National Guard meant that Martin attended Fast Track Officer Candidate School in order to be trained as a commissioned officer. He decided to branch which means to become trained in another National Guard specialty. Martin branched to a field artillery officer which required him to attend officer basic training at Fort Sill, OK in order to develop the skills and qualities that were needed to become an officer. Being an officer in the National Guard meant that Martin would move to different units throughout South Dakota depending on what units needed. As an officer, it did not matter what his AIT was in, he was expected to serve in any capacity that was needed. As Martin had both a degree and experience in the game warden field, he naturally additionally branched into the military police. By taking on these different branchings, Martin broadened his ability to advance in the National Guard. During Martin’s 39 years of service, he was deployed three times. The first deployment in 2002 while the unit was in Fort Sill, OK before deploying overseas, his unit was released. The second deployment was to Iraq for a 15-month tour from 2003- 2005. Martin’s final deployment was to Kuwait in 2009-2010. During Martin’s years of service, he has been awarded more than 40 state and federal awards/medals/ribbons with the highest being the Meritorious Service Medal with seven oak leaf clusters. Martin’s military career spanning almost 40 years is full of highlights. One of the biggest highlights for Martin would be how proud he was to serve the country as a part of a great military organization. One of the memories that has left a big impression on Martin would be when he was deployed in Iraq. He was working with the British and they were doing a local site visit during a time when Iraqi people were voting and if they voted they had a purple thumb. An elderly Iraqi gentleman came up to Martin and thanked him for coming to Iraq. Martin asked him why he was thanking him to which the elderly Iraqi man responded “because I am free”. Such a simple explanation hit home for Martin as citizens of the United States tend to take freedom for granted. Martin was born in Chamberlain and raised in Avon. He grew up learning to have a hard work ethic. His father worked for Northwest Public Service and his mother was a homemaker. Martin was one of seven children, all born a year apart. Martin has two children, Ross (West Fargo, ND) and Leslie (Mankato, MN), who he is immensely proud of. He also has four grandchildren: Grady, Helen, Carson and Makayla. His wife, Stephanie, who is also a member of the military and Martin share three daughters Kylie, Mackenzie and Ashlyn. Over the years, Martin has been an active member of every community he has been a part of. He was a member of Cub and Boy Scouts, a member of the Avon American Legion, a member of the Sturgis VFW, Field Artillery Association, State and Federal member of the Officer Association and the NGASE Association of SD. Martin will officially retire on April 30th of 2025. Looking back on his career, Martin said that there is not one single day that he has not wanted to come to work. He will retire from the National Guard as a Colonel and is currently the Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics for the SDARNG. There will be a ceremony in May honoring him for his years of service and retirement. Thank you, Martin, for your service and dedication to both the state of South Dakota and our Nation.