In Loving Memory of Nathan Marti

Another Successful Fundraiser

2011-07-22T10:02:00.003-04:00

Wow, what a great day we had at the fundraiser! Thank you SO much to everyone who showed up for lunch, dinner, drinks, and good music. It was a great crowd, and we had a blast. The grand total raised is a little over $4,700! Dogfish Head generously donated $1,660 of that total.

The lucky iPad raffle winner is Chris McDermot of Arlington, VA. Congrats to Chris!

I'd especially like to thank Naz Dizeyee for her hard work collecting restaurant gift cards for the raffle; my sister Adrienne Mills and Beth Via for being raffle ticket selling machines; the wonderful silent auction donors; and everyone who donated their time and money to make this event a success.

My awesome friends in the band Compliments of George rocked it out at the end of the night, too!

Can't wait to see you all next time :)

2011 Nathan B. Marti Scholarship Fundraiser

2011-06-20T12:49:00.011-04:00

We're holding the 2011 Nathan B. Marti Scholarship fundraiser Tuesday, July 19, at Dogfish Head Alehouse in Falls Church, VA. The event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. I think this is going to be the best one yet!

We're raffling an iPad! Tickets are 1 for $5 and 3 for $10. You don't have to attend the fundraiser to win! Please contact me to buy tickets. The drawing is the night of the fundraiser.

We're also holding a silent auction. Items include

Washington Redskins 2010 team-autographed football
Washington Capitals' Mike Green autographed puck
Georgetown Cupcakes gift card

Dogfish Head will donate 15% of its profits July 19 to the scholarship. This includes food, drinks, and Dogfish merchandise. Please support us by enjoying lunch, appetizers, and dinner (and drink responsibly)!

Check out live music that night by my friends' band, Compliments of George!

Tie One on for Safety

2010-12-30T08:00:00.001-05:00

Here is my speech for the MADD Tie One on for Safety Campaign kickoff press conference in Alexandria, VA, on December 21, 2010. I tell Nathan's story and how the decisions of a drunk driver ruined our holidays, and all days, for the rest of our lives.

Have a fun, but safe New Year's!

2011 Fundraiser Date is Set!

2010-11-17T14:42:00.002-05:00

The 2011 Nathan B. Marti Memorial Scholarship fundraiser will take place Tuesday, July 19, at Dogfish Head Alehouse in Falls Church, VA! I will post more details as the event nears.

In the meantime, if you'd like to make a donation, please go to

https://www.applyweb.com/public/contribute?ruf, select "Other" from the dropdown list, and type Nathan B. Marti Scholarship Fund.

Or you can contact me if you'd like to write a check.

Death is Nothing At All

2010-09-08T15:05:00.001-04:00

Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room.

Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I, and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.

Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.

Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference into your tone.

Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together.

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it.

Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is absolute and unbroken continuity. What is this death but a negligible accident?

Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?

I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just round the corner.

All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before.

Henry Scott Holland

Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.

2010-07-09T10:10:00.001-04:00

I can’t stand June 5. I won’t buy food with that expiration date. I will change the channel if it’s the release date in a movie preview. I cringe on May 5 because it’s exactly one month until June 5. I hate that this day paralyzes me.

On this day and those leading up to it, I think about my brother and all that he’s missing.

I think about the horror that suddenly filled our lives on this date. One minute I was walking my dog through the neighborhood on a sunny Tuesday morning, and after one phone call on the sidewalk, I was running down the street screaming, struggling to unlock the front door, and was unable to dress myself or pack before we headed to my parents’. What’s the proper attire in the event of the sky falling?

I can remember all that I ate the rest of the week: two strawberries and a cheese cube. What a big, blurry, confusing, yet unforgettable mess of a day. Looking at that sentence, the word ‘understatement’ comes to mind. It’s weird how that date used to be just any other day.

I remember the first snowfall after it all happened. I stood by myself outside in the cold, silent night, thinking, “This is how it feels for it to snow without Nathan.”

There are so many firsts like this because you have to learn how to live all over again.

I marvel that the world keeps spinning even though life has stopped. Then somehow it moves forward again, each step strange and uncharted.

The events of that day ruined what are significant days that I used to look forward to: December 25 and 31, my birthday … my mom, dad, and sister’s birthdays, too. And other typically normal days since then that have given reason to celebrate, but now are punctuated with, “I wish Nathan were here.” Smile, cry, smile, cry. Repeat to achieve desired catharsis. It’s tiring.

Dates and numbers shouldn’t have this effect on me. I see 6/5 and shut down. I see the number 25 and think that’s how old Nathan was and ever will be.

I see the number 39 and remember that’s how many motorcyclists were killed in an alcohol-related crash in Virginia the year Nathan died. Nathan died. That doesn’t sound right. I hardly say it that way because it isn’t real. Is it? I say “Nathan’s crash” (and we silently know what happened next).

I see the number 32 and know that that’s the approximate number of people in the U.S. who die each day in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. 32 families and sets of friends get that news every day. One every 45 minutes.

This isn’t real. I’m just waiting for it to be over and things to go back. There are unexpected times when the realization hits me like a punch to the stomach, making me lose my breath.

A piece of me died at his side on that June night. I can’t believe that this is the rest of my life.

Sometimes I ask him aloud, “Where are you?” I swear he answered back as a twinkling star when I asked the first time that June 5 night, when I found myself sitting alone in my parents’ driveway, praying for a sign. I was clinging to the final hours of that day because it would be the last that we were both alive.

Signs are what get me by sometimes. Orange butterflies, songs that play at just the right time.

Three: the number of years since the crash. Then it will be four, five, six …

I still check my phone in the morning for that late-night text from Nathan, and when I’m telling someone what’s new with me, I make a list in my mind of each family member, one by one, and what I can share about their lives. Mom and Dad are doing ok -- just saw them last weekend. Adrienne and the fam are doing well up north. Then a gaping hole. Can anyone else see it?

No one asks “How’s your brother?” anymore, and it’s weird and depressing.

I don’t get to be a big sister anymore. I just thought of it that way only a couple months ago. I have a lot more advice to give, too.

In case you wanted more numbers, .18 was Chan’s blood alcohol content. 15 is the number of years he will spend in prison. He’ll be about 40 when he gets out.

Three is the number of people who were in the car. Zero is the number of them who were sober or remembered how they got on the road going the wrong way.

Countless are the cab drivers who are confused when I ask them to take me to DC without using 395, even though it’s the quickest route.

It comforts me to post online on this date, and I’ve learned never to pass up an opportunity for something to help. This is how I grieve. Nathan didn’t deserve this end, and I at least owe it to him to say these words.

“He was no longer surprised how easily tears could come to his eyes.”
The Shack

No 2010 Dogfish Head Alehouse Fundraiser

2010-06-01T12:16:00.005-04:00

There will be no Nathan B. Marti Scholarship fundraiser at Dogfish Head Alehouse in 2010. We hope to hold one in 2011.

Please feel free to make a donation at https://www.applyweb.com/public/contribute?ruf by selecting "Other" from the dropdown list and typing Nathan B. Marti Scholarship Fund.

Or you can contact me if you'd like to write a check.

Thanks for your support!

Successful Fundraiser!

2009-07-16T09:25:00.005-04:00

The fundraiser at Dogfish Head was a big success! We had a great turnout throughout the day into that late Tuesday night. I saw friends, family, coworkers, Sigma Pi brothers, strangers, tall people, short people ... etc., etc. :) Thank you to everyone who showed up, ate, drank, sang, danced, bid in the silent auction, bought raffle tickets, and overall showed your support.

In the end, we raised over $4,700! Dogfish Head donated about $1,800 of that based on 15% of the profits it made that day. I not only love Dogfish Head beer, but also the food, staff, and overall organization. I truly cannot say enough nice things about Dogfish.

Originally, when we started collecting donations for the Nathan B. Marti Scholarship Fund in October 2007, the Radford University Foundation gave us 5 years to raise $15,000 in order for the scholarship to become endowed, which meant we would then be able to award a scholarship to a student each year. To date, only 1 year and 9 months later, we have raised close to $23,000. I am shocked by this number ... and completely thrilled. We hope to be able to award the first scholarship to a student in fall 2010.

Now that we've far surpassed our original goal, are we going to stop here? No way. I would like to hold one fundraiser a year for Nathan and to keep growing the scholarship fund. The sky's the limit regarding how much we can raise. To me, the scholarship and fundraisers have multiple purposes: first and foremost, to honor Nathan and serve as a memorial to his life and what he means to us; to help me channel my grief in a positive way; to financially help a Radford student who shares similar interests with Nathan; to give friends and family a way to show their support, remember Nathan, and perhaps help them in their grieving; and frankly, is a great excuse to get together with good friends and party, something Nathan really loved to do.

So for now, I'm going to rest and take this time to bask in the generosity and awesomeness that came from this fundraiser, and reenergize myself for the party next year.

One week away - NBM scholarship fundraiser at Dogfish Head

2009-07-07T16:19:00.007-04:00

In case you haven't heard, we're holding the 2nd annual Nathan B. Marti Scholarship fundraiser at Dogfish Head restaurant next Tuesday, July 14.

Dogfish Head will donate 15% of all money raised the entire day to the Nathan B. Marti Scholarship Fund. Please support us by enjoying lunch, appetizers, and dinner (and drink responsibly)!

Participate in the silent auction and buy raffle tickets to win an iPod touch, HP netbook, or gift cards to Cosi, Legal Seafoods, Cheesecake Factory, and the Great American Restaurants!

Tickets are 1 for $5 or 3 for $10. Buy tickets in advance or at the fundraiser. The raffle drawing will be that night, but you don't have to be present to win. Please contact me for more details (lindsay.marti@yahoo.com).

The day the sky fell down

2009-06-05T06:45:00.002-04:00

That’s what I call June 5, 2007. When my mom called me that morning and told me about Nathan, it might as well have. Trying to remember the rest of 2007, and a lot of life since then is like searching for something underwater—blurry and sometimes hard to breathe.

Year two has been easier (for lack of a better word) than the first year: I don’t bawl my eyes out on the drive to and from work every day, only sometimes now. I don’t avoid social situations all the time, only occasionally. And I don’t get angry at the drop of a hat … ok, I still do, but anyone close to me knows that I did that way before the crash happened.

It’s hard having life continue, juggling my grief and the everyday things. Sometimes I don’t want things to be “easier.” It shows me that more time has passed, which means it’s been that much longer since I last saw Na, talked to him, hugged him, laughed with him. And then there are the things that didn’t mean much to me before, but now are painful triggers of grief: I can’t drive down the road without seeing someone on a motorcycle. For a while after the crash, I would have mini panic attacks while driving and seeing one. Today, I can barely look at them—just enough to keep my distance from them while driving. I also can’t stand seeing a dead animal on the side of the road. I can’t help but get sad and angry about how Nathan died—much like that squirrel or deer I see. (This is when the anger comes out.) I get mad at Vathana Chan and his stupid friends, who had no right to end Nathan’s life and let him die on the side of the road.

I also can’t shake the occasional urge to call or text Nathan. While I’m well aware that he’s not going to answer, I can’t wrap my mind around the fact that he’s not alive. I wonder if I’m always going to forget and think he’s just away somewhere on a trip.

I marvel at how my life can continue on when I’m now living so much in the past. I cling to memories of conversations with him, trying so hard to remember how his voice sounded and how it felt to tell him a dumb joke that made him laugh. I was so glad to discover that we have tons of pictures of him, but am now saddened that there will be no more.

I tried not living in the past once. So I looked forward and realized that there will come a day, God willing, that I will have been alive longer without Nathan than I was with him.

I stopped trying to find some grand scheme or plan that I’m supposed to follow because of Nathan’s death. Some people realize how much they love someone after that person dies, and others are sorry that they didn’t have a better relationship with that person, so they deal with regret. I didn’t need Nathan to die to realize how much I love him and how much he means to me. So where does that leave me? I believe in God and I believe that Nathan is in Heaven. I’m sure the whole “his work here on Earth was done” is true, and “he’s in a better place,” but the fact is, I’m still here and alive. I’m pretty sure there’s no amount of charity work or good will I can perform that will satisfy me or even begin to fill the void that I feel. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to do charity work, but I will not do it thinking that it’s what I’m supposed to do now.

“Don’t drink and drive,” they say. I remember seeing MADD ads and stickers over the years, and thinking “Yeah, drinking and driving is bad and dangerous.” I thought fleetingly about how people die in car crashes. Then all of a sudden, Nathan became part of a statistic, and I’m driving in my car and crying because I just saw a dead deer on the side of the road. I think that if for one day, everyone who has a driver’s license (and people who drive without one) could feel what it’s like to lose their best friend in a drunk driving crash, the roads would be safer. Consequently, these people also probably would hug their families more and be nicer to others. At the same time, I wouldn’t wish this feeling or what my family and I have been through on anyone. Ah, the irony.

So I’m not much of a Mary Sunshine, but I’m pretty sure that today I don’t have to be. I actually do love life and have a lot to be thankful for. I’m grateful to have a family who, despite everything, is very loving and supportive of one another. It’s amazing how, although we are all broken, when one of us has completely fallen apart, another is strong enough to put the pieces back together. It’s just that there’s still that missing piece.

2nd Annual NBM Scholarship Fundraiser -- July 14

2009-05-26T16:13:00.008-04:00

The second annual NBM Scholarship fundraiser will be at Dogfish Head (Falls Church) again this year! Check out the Evite here or look for it in Events on Facebook.

Dogfish Head will donate 15% of all money raised the entire day. This includes food, drinks, and Dogfish merchandise.

Tuesday, July 14, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

I'm selling iPod touch raffle tickets through June and the beginning of July, and they also will be available to buy at the fundraiser. The drawing will be that night. (You don't have to be present to win).

Tickets are $5 apiece, or 3 for $10. Contact me to buy some!

Also come check out my friends' band, Compliments of George. It'll be a great time :)

Walk Like MADD 2009 -- Walk for Nathan

2009-05-07T09:54:00.003-04:00

If you live in the DC area, please join me for Walk Like MADD in September! If you live out of the area, please consider joining the team as a virtual walker or make a donation to our team. Here are the details:

Saturday, September 26, 2009
Potomac Nationals Pfitzner Stadium
Woodbridge, VA

Click here to visit my personal page.
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the Web address:
http://support.madd.org/site/TR/WalkLikeMADD/WLM-FairfaxVA?px=1738403&pg=personal&fr_id=2511&et=K4a6YAaz72eVUP8_5wwOcA..&s_tafId=25110

Click here to view the team page for Walk for Nathan.
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the Web address:
http://support.madd.org/site/TR/WalkLikeMADD/WLM-FairfaxVA?team_id=47920&pg=team&fr_id=2511&et=FjJYvkcSoW89HVC9zai4Xg..&s_tafId=25110

Getting close!

2009-03-05T11:47:00.003-05:00

The fundraiser at Sharkey's was fun, fun, and fun. I was excited to see so many familiar faces -- alumni, brothers, current students, oh my!

Sharkey's is graciously donating $200 to the NBM Scholarship, and we raised a little over $300 from general donations and by selling pint glasses and tshirts.

This puts the grand total of the fund to date at $14,061, so we only have about $940 to go!

More Radford Homecoming Fun

2009-02-17T11:41:00.005-05:00

We're having an NBM Scholarship fundraiser at Sharkey's Wing and Rib Joint in Radford, Friday, February 27. Sharkey's will donate a portion of its profits from 5 p.m. to close (2 a.m.). All you have to do is show up and eat (and drink responsibly)!

Here's the Sharkey's Web site: http://www.sharkeyswingandribjoint.com/

I'm hoping it's a great turnout. We only have about $1,500 left to reach our $15,000 goal!

Radford U. All-Greek Reunion

2009-01-05T13:23:00.006-05:00

I hope everyone had a nice holiday season. Mine provided a great opportunity to relax and reflect. It surely feels weird and sad to start another year without Nathan.

After taking a break from NBM Scholarship fund raising, I'll be at Radford's homecoming the weekend of February 27-28. Radford U. Foundation staff are helping us reach our goal by suggesting fund raising opportunities and identifying ways to publicize the NBM Scholarship.

I will attend the All-Greek Reunion that weekend and hope some Sigma Pi guys and friends will join me! Stay tuned for further information, including the current tally of how much we've raised to date.

Walk Like MADD

2008-11-04T10:43:00.009-05:00

The MADD walk was a success! MADD NoVA surpassed its goal of $40,000, and close to 400 people showed up to support the event. Our team, In Loving Memory of Nathan B. Marti, raised $3,375! Thanks to all who made donations and to those who came out to the walk! Here are some pictures from the event. (Click to enlarge.)

Some walk team members

Hey, that's me on stage!

MADD National President Laura Dean-Mooney and me

Please Support MADD!

2008-09-22T16:13:00.008-04:00

I'm participating in Walk Like MADD in Northern Virginia on November 1. Please support MADD's mission to eliminate drunk driving and support me while I walk in memory of Nathan. Click here to make a donation!

My Victim Impact Statement

2008-08-07T11:15:00.025-04:00

I have been thinking a lot about my victim impact statement lately, and how writing it and then reading it in court provided some emotional healing for me. It helped me articulate how much my life changed forever, immediately when I found out Nathan was killed.

I wanted the judge, Chan, and my friends and family who attended the sentencing hearing to know the things I had to do in the days and weeks following Nathan's death. I wanted them to hear the truth about what my life had become because of Chan's selfish decision to drink and drive.

I will never know whether my statement had any influence over the judge when she sentenced Chan to 20 years in prison with 5 years suspended, but that is of little importance to me. What’s important is that my victim impact statement provided me with some sort of relief at a time of such darkness in my life.

When I first sat down to draft my VIS, I remember Googling the term "victim impact statement" to find a definition and maybe some written examples. I just wanted to get an idea of what I should write and how long it should be. The Virginia guidelines for writing a VIS gave me basic information, but I wasn’t really able to find many written examples.

I soon realized that the VIS is a very personal document, and this might be why people choose not to make theirs available online. Before I wrote or typed anything, I often found myself composing the VIS in my head before I fell asleep at night and when I woke in the morning.

One day, I found that I had some quiet time, so I opened a blank document on my computer and began to type. It took me only a couple hours to complete my first draft, then proceeded to nit-pick and edit it over the course of a few weeks.

I completed my final draft as I sat in court on April 21, 2008, five minutes before I was to get up on the stand and read it aloud. I furiously scribbled changes and crossed out lines to make sure I said everything I needed to.

It was one of the most emotional experiences of my life; I was nervous and had to stop a couple times because I was crying, but I got through it. I was glad to have the opportunity to speak in front of Chan.

I have included my VIS on this blog with the hope of helping someone who has the unfortunate task of writing one. I want to provide a starting point for someone who is looking for the courage and direction to begin writing such an important, personal statement.

Other than state guidelines, there’s no wrong or right way to write a VIS. There is, however, the opportunity to express the impact that a crime has had on one’s life.

If you have come across this blog post while in search of a victim impact statement example, you probably have to write one yourself. I'm very sorry that you're in this position, but also hopeful that I can help. I wish you strength and peace as you face this challenge.

Lastly, I ask that my VIS not be copied or reproduced in any way without my permission. My VIS serves as a statement for me only, and I expect that the only things taken from these pages are true sentiment and honesty. Click here to view it on Scribd.com, or click on the pages, one by one, below.

My mom and dad asked that I post their victim impact statements, too, so that they could possibly help someone. I uploaded them to Scribd.com.

Click here for my mom's VIS.

Click here for my dad's VIS.

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

VA Fund Raiser

2008-07-16T15:04:00.022-04:00

I remembered two important things at the fund raiser yesterday:

1. I have amazing friends and family.
2. Dogfish Head rules.

We had an awesome turnout of supporters, and I was thrilled to be at a cool restaurant surrounded by so many people I know and love. I can't thank all of you enough for your support, not just yesterday, but every day.

I have been a fan of Dogfish Head beer for quite some time and was excited when the restaurant opened in Falls Church September of last year. The restaurant boasts yummy beer, good food, and the nicest staff around. The 12 hours that I spent at the restaurant Tuesday were well worth it. DFH generously donated 15% of their profit yesterday to the scholarship fund, which totaled approximately $1,600. On top of that, we raised about $800 from the silent auction and pint glass and t-shirt sales. (We still have lots of pint glasses left, so contact me if interested!)

We now have about $12,000 in the fund, very close to our $15,000 goal. Stay tuned for more fund raising events to come.

Poem

2008-07-11T13:49:00.002-04:00

I found this nice poem today while putzing around on the Web:

We thought of you with love today,
but that is nothing new.
We thought about you yesterday
and days before that, too.
We think of you in silence,
we often speak your name.
Now all we have is memories
and your picture in a frame.
Your memory is our keepsake
with which we'll never part.
God has you in his keeping;
We have you in our hearts.

One Week Away - Spread the Word!

2008-06-10T19:41:00.029-04:00

Location: Dogfish Head Alehouse (click for directions)
When: Tuesday, July 15
11:30AM to 11:00PM

Come for lunch or dinner and live music. Dogfish Head will donate 15% of all money raised the entire day to the scholarship fund. Participate in the silent auction and win some awesome items, including sports tickets and memorabilia!

Massachusetts Benefit

2008-06-09T08:44:00.006-04:00

My family and I traveled to Massachusetts for the scholarship fund raiser on Saturday. We are so pleased with the turnout and with how much fun we had. We raised approximately $2,400!

Congratulations to Gordon Benson for winning the Bose music system.

Click here to see pictures of the event. Thanks to all for making it a great success!

Check back for information on the July 15 fund raiser in Virginia.

One Year

2008-06-04T23:35:00.004-04:00

One year has passed since our lives were changed forever. One year has passed since everything was turned upside down and inside out. I was out walking my dog that morning, and my mom called me. I thought it odd that I was getting a call on my cell from "Mom & Dad Home" at 7:53 a.m., but thought my dad just wanted to chat. I had been unemployed since the end of April, laid off from a job that I hated. I should have listened better when Nathan called my layoff a vacation, and enjoyed my time off, but instead was sad and depressed that I had no job. Little did I know, that would be the least of my worries.

I answered the phone with a slow, hesitant, "Hello?" and my mom was on the other line. She said, "Lindsay?" in a weird tone. "Yes?" I answered, now confused about why she'd called. "There's been a horrible accident," she replied. Thoughts raced through my mind of my dad driving to work and getting in a car accident. I started to wonder what hospital I'd be traveling to to visit him. I don't quite remember exactly what she said next. I think it was, "Nathan is gone." Whatever she said struck me like a lightning bolt, and my response was, "No he's not." "Lindsay, yes he is." "No!" I exclaimed, and I turned to cross the street and ran about 30 yards to my house, crossing the street with the dog, not even looking both ways. I fumbled with my keys and got inside and started to wail. I remember that as I ran to my house in disbelief of my mother's words, the only thing that convinced me it actually happened was that I knew my mother would never tell me such a thing if it were not true. I remember bits and pieces of the days following - the viewing and the funeral. I don't remember clearly the order in which I had conversations with people, who I hugged, how I got any sleep, or how I was able to eat anything.

Now it's one year later. Nothing has changed. He's still gone. I'm still sad. I still cry almost every day. I have been surrounded by the best friends and family. I still can't believe that I'm not going to get another late-night drunken phone call from Na, telling me silly stuff about his day, and ending with a heartfelt "I love you" from him. I never will heal. I've read that time makes it "easier" or "softer," but have yet to experience any such thing. All I know is that Nathan is not here, and my world, everyone's world, is a lesser place because of it. God bless all of those who have shown love, support, and compassion. God bless Nathan and his ability to bring all of us together amidst such a sad, tragic situation. There better be a Heaven.

Recognition from Diplomatic Security

2008-06-03T13:34:00.004-04:00

Check out the Diplomatic Security: 2007 Year in Review document, particularly Page 25: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/104752.pdf

Click the picture below:

Other Raffle Items

2008-05-29T10:30:00.010-04:00

We're gearing up for the benefit! Here are some examples of items we're raffling on June 7:

-- 2 Mt. Wachusett lift tickets -- Lia Sophia jewelry

-- Panera gift card -- Large basket of chocolate goodies

-- Townsend Ridge Country Club certificate for greens fees

Plus much more!

Raffle: Bose Music System

2008-05-13T11:57:00.006-04:00

We are raffling a Bose Wave Music System, $500 value, to raise money for the scholarship fund.

You do not have to be present to win!

Tickets are $5 apiece or 3 for $10.

The drawing will be at the benefit in Massachusetts on June 7. If not present, the winner will be notified on June 9.

All payments must be received no later than Wednesday, June 4. Please contact me for further details and pass this on to friends, family, and coworkers.

Join Our Walk Like MADD Team!

2008-05-02T09:42:00.002-04:00

We have formed a team for Nathan for Walk Like MADD. The 5k walk will take place on Saturday, November 1, in Reston, VA. It's not a race, but rather a way for all of us to join in the fight against drunk driving. Please join our team by clicking here. There is no requirement to raise money, although it's strongly encouraged! Please join and ask others, too!

Justice

2008-04-22T07:13:00.004-04:00

... or as close to it as we are going to get:

Judge Alper sentenced Vathana Chan to 20 years in prison with 5 of those years to be suspended if he demonstrates good behavior. She also sentenced him to 1,000 hours of community service once he is released. This community service involves speaking to students, church groups, etc., about what he did and his experiences because of it; she added that this will be to serve as a lasting memorial to Nathan.

Our family is very pleased with the sentence. All too often the law and society as a whole do not treat this crime as what it is: a violent act of homicide. Driving drunk and killing someone is not an accident. Someone chooses to be intoxicated and then makes another decision to get behind the wheel of a vehicle. It is important for a person who demonstrates such a negligent disregard for human life to be punished appropriately. Given the Commonwealth of Virginia's current guidelines regarding aggravated involuntary manslaughter, we feel Chan was justly sentenced.

Now it's time to make a sentence like this the norm for committing this crime, not the exception.

Another Sentencing Hearing Change

2008-04-18T16:33:00.002-04:00

The new time is 10:30 a.m.; no other information has changed.

Sentencing Hearing Information

2008-04-14T17:15:00.005-04:00

Monday, April 21, at 9:30 a.m. Our lawyer estimates that the hearing will last 45 minutes.

The Arlington Courthouse is located at:
1425 N. Courthouse Road
Arlington, VA 22201

Click here to see a map
Click here for Court House Metro stop information

Parking
You can park in the metered lot across the street. Be sure to bring quarters, as there's always someone monitoring that lot and giving tickets.

Cell phones
Cell phones are not allowed inside the courthouse, so please leave them in your car.

Courtroom
We are not likely to know the courtroom number until the morning of the sentencing. The dockets and courtroom assignments will be posted on the first and 10th floors of the courthouse near the elevator lobbies.

Do You Want a Nathan Memorial T-Shirt?

2008-04-11T12:20:00.006-04:00

I need to get a rough idea of how many shirts to order. Please email me by April 30! Thanks!

To see a larger view of the t-shirt design, click here.
Click on the picture for a larger view and click Rotate to see the back.

Please let me know how many and what size (click here for sizing chart).
Each shirt will be about $15, and all proceeds will go to the Nathan B. Marti Scholarship Fund.

Save the Date...Contact Me for More Details!

2008-03-26T10:16:00.001-04:00

Sentencing Hearing (Finally)

2008-03-07T14:57:00.001-05:00

The sentencing hearing finally has been rescheduled for Monday, April 21, 2008, at 9:30 a.m. So I can give the court a headcount, please let me know if you will be there.

1425 N. Courthouse Road
Arlington, VA 22201
For the specific courtroom number, please check here as the date gets closer.

Sentencing Hearing Delay

2008-03-04T09:16:00.002-05:00

Ugh, so the sentencing hearing still has not been scheduled. Now the earliest it will be is in May. Stay tuned...

Ceremony on Nathan's Birthday

2008-02-07T09:36:00.001-05:00

Nathan's Sigma Pi fraternity brothers are inviting everyone down to Radford on Nathan's birthday Saturday, February 23, to take part in a birthday celebration and ceremony to honor Nathan. Everyone, regardless of whether you're affiliated with Sigma Pi, is welcome. Here are the details:

Event: Rememberance of "HI Dale"
When: Saturday, February 23, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Where: Bonnie Auditorium

To see more details, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=532984438&k=Y6L54YT2VWXM5CDDYE5ZTT

Plea Hearing

2008-01-31T08:32:00.000-05:00

Court went as well as it could have on Tuesday. The guy pleaded guilty to aggravated involuntary manslaughter. The judge who will sentence him, Judge Alper, is the judge we want -- she reads everything that comes her way regarding the case, rather than having her clerks read some of it. This means that she will personally read each of our victim impact statements!

They set a sentencing date; however our lawyer is unavailable that day, so they must reschedule. It likely will be the first week in April, but of course, I will post the sentencing date as soon as we know it. Please consider coming to the sentencing hearing, and it's very important for you tell me if you plan to do so.

Please have your victim impact statements to me by Friday, February 15. Please note that there is no page limit, so feel free to include anything you'd like to say.

Trial Update #4: Guilty

2008-01-17T09:51:00.000-05:00

My parents and I met with our lawyer yesterday, and he informed us that the other lawyer has indicated that the guy will be pleading guilty on the 29th. Our lawyer said he is "95 percent sure" that the guy will not change his mind beforehand, and will indeed plead guilty. This is great news because it means that we don't have to sit through a painful trial!

Our lawyer also explained what to expect on the 29th. On this day, the guy only will plead and the hearing will last about 10 minutes -- a separate sentencing hearing will be scheduled then, which will occur within 60-90 days. This puts the sentencing hearing in the late March/April timeframe.

I understand that it may be difficult for you to get time off of work for both of these hearings. Our lawyer said that if someone were to choose between which of the two hearings to attend, they should choose the sentencing hearing in March/April. This is because people will have the chance to read their victim impact statements then, and that is when the judge announces sentencing.

Of course, my family and I would greatly appreciate as many people coming to either or both of the hearings, as they are important to us, but in light of our lawyer's recommendation, I'd like to request that if you can only make it to one, please try to make it to the sentencing hearing. I will send out a separate email and post on this blog with the date and time.

Victim Impact Statement

2008-01-10T14:26:00.002-05:00

Upon sentencing the guy who killed Nathan, after the trial, the judge will review any Victim Impact Statements (VIS) that are submitted by Nathan's friends and family. This is a great opportunity for our voices to be heard and help keep this guy behind bars.

A VIS is a written statement that describes the harm or loss suffered by the victim of an offense. The court considers the statement when the offender is sentenced. The VIS is intended to give victims of crime a voice in the criminal justice system; it allows victims to participate in the sentencing of the offender by explaining to the court and the offender, in their own words, how the crime has affected them.

A VIS can be prepared by the survivors of deceased victims, by the parent or guardian of a child victim, or by a spouse, dependant or close relative of a victim who is incapable of making a statement.

If Nathan has touched your life in some way, please consider writing a VIS and contact me ASAP for further information. I'd like to collect all submissions by Friday, February 8.

Camp Calumet Newsletter Clip

2008-01-04T11:44:00.000-05:00

A Note from Kelsey

2007-12-18T14:35:00.000-05:00

All, here's information from my and Nathan's friend, Kelsey, regarding the MA fund raiser:

Hey Everyone!
Lindsay and I have been collaborating to put together the benefit in MA. Like blogspot says it will be held on Saturday June 7th, 2008. The new news is we know where it will be.

Four Points Sheraton
Leominster, MA

The time frame is still TBD. We have some ideas up our sleeves for events planned that day. Whatever it may be, it will be a good time. For those of you traveling we chose the Four Points because they have rooms available, and are giving a discount. If you intend on booking a room it should only cost you $89 for a night. Make sure to tell them why you're there! If you have problems you can message me via Facebook or e-mail me KCMeloon@gmail.com.

This is very early notice, I know. But there is still a lot to do. Lindsay and I will be working together to gather donations, prizes, and anything else we can get our hands on. If you know of anyone, or any companies that are willing to donate to the cause, or even if you know contact information for places it would be helpful for us.

Thank you in advance for your help! We hope to see you in June!

Walk Like MADD (Formerly Strides for Change)

2007-12-14T13:32:00.002-05:00

I've formed a team to walk in remembrance of Nathan (cleverly named In Memory of Nathan B. Marti) at the Walk Like MADD, which is a 5k walk that raises funds and saves lives.

I'd really like to have a big group of people walk for Nathan, so please sign up if you can make it!

Saturday, May 24, 2008
George Mason University ~ Fairfax, VA
9:30 am: Ceremonies begin
10:00 am: Walk begins

Click here to join my team.

Trial Update #3

2007-10-31T14:09:00.000-04:00

The new date is Tuesday, January 29, 2008, at 9:30 a.m. at the Arlington, VA, courthouse.

As usual, I will post more details as it gets closer.

Trial Update #2

2007-10-29T09:21:00.000-04:00

Unfortunately, the new trial date still has not been set. It's looking like it might not be until sometime in January.

Scholarship is Ready!

2007-10-16T09:06:00.000-04:00

We're ready to accept donations for the Nathan B. Marti Scholarship Fund! See instructions on the left.

I'd like to extend a huge thanks to Maria Kilpatrick and Matt Hughes. Without them, this scholarship would still just be an idea...

...and, of course, thank you for your support!

Bumper Stickers

2007-10-08T12:36:00.001-04:00

Here are the bumper stickers to be available once the scholarship's ready!

Silicone Bracelet

2007-10-04T15:08:00.001-04:00

Here's what one of the silicone bracelets looks like. They'll be available once we start receiving donations. I got them at Wristband Connection, which does great work.
Click on the pic below for a close-up.

Scholarship News

2007-10-04T14:21:00.000-04:00

I received a letter yesterday that states that the Nathan B. Marti Scholarship Fund is now an official organization, woohoo! This means that we are much closer to being able to accept donations, to distribute silicone bracelets and tshirts, and most importantly, to honor Nathan's memory in a very tangible way. I expect to be able to accept donations by the end of October or early November.

Trial Update #1

2007-09-24T09:11:00.000-04:00

The trial will no longer begin on October 30; our lawyer received a subpoena for an unrelated case that day, so he must request a continuance on our case. At this point, we don't know the new trial date, so I don't know if this means it's going to be one week later, one month later, or even longer.

Stay tuned...

Trial Date

2007-08-26T13:51:00.000-04:00

The grand jury met last Monday, and the trial is moving forward as expected. On Thursday, the official trial date was set for Tuesday, October 30. On the 30th, the defendant will enter his plea. If he pleads guilty, it may take a few months for the judge to decide his sentencing. If he pleads not guilty, the trial will move forward.

The trial is public, and I encourage you to attend if you wish to do so. Please let me know if you plan to attend, as we need to notify the court of how many people to expect -- per court policy, they may need to provide more security officers with a large crowd. I will post more trial information as I receive it.

Please pray, keep your fingers crossed, rub your lucky rabbit's foot, whatever it takes, so that he pleads guilty and we can get past this.

Lindsay

Silent Auction/Raffle

2007-08-06T08:15:00.000-04:00

It's never too early to start planning...
We're going to have a silent auction or raffle at the benefit in Massachusetts. I'd like to start a list of possible items to auction or raffle. Things like sports event or concert tickets, brand new electronics, and gift baskets would be great.

My bank, Wachovia, has a Possibilities Rewards program. With it, I earn points every time I make a purchase and I can redeem the points online by choosing things like gift cards, merchandise, airline tickets, and cash back. I've decided to take all the points I earn before the MA benefit and redeem them to get an item to donate toward the auction/raffle.

If you are willing to donate something, please let me know. Even if you don't think you will attend the event, I'd appreciate any support.

Thanks.
Lindsay

If You're Feeling Particularly Charitable...

2007-07-31T11:42:00.000-04:00

and just can't wait to donate money somewhere, MADD is a good place to spread your generosity.

If you want something to stick on your car or fridge, donate $5 and get a magnetic MADD ribbon.

Or if you want something to read, visit http://www.madd.org/, particularly this MADD page.

Massachusetts Benefit

2007-07-26T13:39:00.000-04:00

All, please save the date Saturday, June 7, 2008, as the tenative benefit in Massachusetts to raise money for the Radford U. scholarship in Nathan's name. People of all ages will be welcome!

We are working on all details, such as specific venue, and I'll post as more details are available.

We likely will have activities such as card games, a putting competition, some sort of basketball competition, root beer pong tournament (kid-friendly!), and other activities that Nathan enjoyed.

Obviously, we'd like to raise as much money as possible for the scholarship, and in order to do so, we're looking for donations of all kinds: food, drinks, or utensils; items to put up for silent auction or raffle; DJ and DJ equipment; and/or people's time to work booths, set up, and clean up. Please contact me if you are able to donate any of these or if you have other ideas (lindsay.marti@yahoo.com).

Preliminary Hearing

2007-07-17T11:13:00.000-04:00

The preliminary hearing on Monday went as well as it could have. He hasn't pleaded yet; they were just establishing whether there is probable cause to prove that he committed involuntary aggravated manslaughter, which has a possible maximum sentence of 20 years (it's only 10 if it's not "aggravated"), and the judge determined in our favor.

Now the case will go before the grand jury in August (date TBD). That is a closed hearing, where the public doesn't attend, and the grand jury determines whether it will go to trial. That is basically a formality, and our attorney estimates the trial would occur in October. At that time, we will find out how the guy will plead.

To be continued...

Scholarship

2007-07-17T11:09:00.000-04:00

I am helping set up a Radford University scholarship in Nathan's name.

Right now, the scholarship is in the very beginning stages, and we will be working on it within the next couple of months.

I've been talking to one of Nathan's friends regarding setting up an annual benefit in his name that will be held in Massachusetts. We expect that it will occur around the anniversary of his crash in June every year.

We will also send out letters to all whose home addresses we have so that we can ask for donations for the scholarship.

We will be making bumper stickers, t-shirts, and bracelets in remembrance of Nathan this year, but have yet to decide if we will sell them or give them to people based on donation amounts.

I expect that once we have all of this information, we will include it in the letter we send, which is why getting people's contact information is so very important.

Please send your email address and home address to me at lindsay.marti@yahoo.com. Please do not contact me to find out how to get bumper stickers, t-shirts, etc. We will contact you regarding this information.

Thanks.
Lindsay