Kerry Martin is the first to admit he is one of many people who work behind the scenes to make Harlan a better place to live.

“Doing the things I do puts me in touch with other volunteers that work so hard to help others throughout Harlan County,” said Martin. “These people, as well as myself, look for no rewards in what we do. It’s just about sharing our time to try and make a difference in someone’s life, being of service to our fellow man.”

Martin volunteers as a member of the Harlan Honor Guard, where he serves as finance officer.

“We provide military honors to fallen veterans in Harlan and Bell counties and also Tennessee and Virginia,” Martin said. “When I’m at a funeral, I look around at all the men involved in our unit, and I think about what we are giving to our fallen conrade. It’s all volunteer. No one gets paid for anything. We are there to do a service to the family, to pay tribute to a veteran.”

Martin said the honor guard presents a flag to every family of fallen veterans.

“It means so much to the family to get that flag and watch us do our ceremony,” said Martin. “I look around at the other guard members and I see tears in their eyes. We put our heart into the ceremony. It means something to us and to the families. It feels good to do that.”

Sometimes when discouragement sets in, Martin said the guard will get a thank you card in the mail telling them how much the service meant to the family and how proud their daddy would have been and that alone gives him and the unit a boost to go forward and continue their efforts.

Martin also volunteers his time and talent at the Harlan Nursing Home.

“I cut most of the gentlemen’s hair out there,” Martin said. “I try to go every other week or at least once every three weeks to keep caught up. There are approximately 40 men and a few women, who like real short hair, that I barber. I started off thinking I’d just go and do a few haircuts to help out, and now three years later, I’m still there.”

Complimenting the staff and other volunteers at the nursing home, Martin said he enjoys going out there and has made many good friends with staff and residents.

“I’m no more special that any other person that comes to the nursing home,” said Martin. “I see them out there time after time, doing little things for the residents, seeking no fame or fortune, just there to help those in need. I’d like to salute all those that go unnoticed doing volunteer work.”

As if that were not enough, Martin also volunteers at Christ’s Hands every Wednesday.

“I am part of a group from my church, the Harlan Christian Church, that goes every Wednesday to serve meals to the less fortunate,” said Martin. “We serve the food, visit with the people who come to eat, sweep, mop, clean the dining room, and wash dishes. There are many who volunteer to keep Christ’s Hands going.”

Martin said he had been volunteering at Christ’s Hands for the past seven years and really enjoyed being part of this group from his church.

“When you look into the faces of the less fortunate, it makes you feel good to be involved in other people’s lives in a positive way,” said Martin. “It takes time to do this but this helps me as much as the ones I help. It takes my mind off my problems. I just have to look around and my problems seem so minor in comparison to problems others have. Maybe I can make a difference or be part of a group of people who do make a difference, that is all I can hope for with my walk in life.”

Martin is a retired barber.