Martin+ Family Reunion

In the spring of 1949, Charlie and Mary Martin packed everything they had and headed west.

The road ahead was uncertain. Behind them lay the hills of West Virginia — family, memory, and everything familiar. In front of them stretched miles of highway, long days of driving, and the quiet belief that something better could be built.

They were not chasing something easy. They were building a life.

With a young family, a car loaded with what they could carry, and no guarantees waiting at the other end, they crossed the country and began again — step by step, mile by mile.

That journey would shape everything that followed.

It led to new work, new communities, and a life rooted in California — a life that would grow across generations.

Eighty years later, we return to that road.

Spring 2029 — 80-Year Anniversary

The Martin Plus Family Reunion is being planned for Spring 2029, marking the 80th anniversary of Charlie and Mary’s journey west.

Initial plans include a five-day gathering centered around a weekend, with Las Vegas, Nevada serving as the primary location. We are currently working with resort properties for guest accommodations and group events.

The Journey — “The Winds of Change” Drive

As part of the reunion, family members will have the option to take part in a cross-country drive retracing the spirit of the original journey.

Planned highlights include:

A Cincinnati Reds baseball game
A stop at the Salton Sea
Hotel accommodations in China Lake / Ridgecrest area
Arrival gathering in Las Vegas, Nevada
Follow-on visit to China Lake, California

Participation in the drive will be flexible, with options to join for all or part of the route.

Who Is Invited

It is our hope that this reunion brings together not only the Martin family, but also extended family and friends connected through the years.

This includes those with roots in:

Huntington
Belva
Dixie
Cincinnati

And others whose lives and stories are reflected in Charlie — A Moment in Time.

Looking Ahead

The Martin Plus Family Reunion is in the early planning stages, and details will continue to develop over time.

Please check back for updates as plans take shape.

Comments, questions, and interest are always welcome.

Martin+ Family Reunion

In the spring of 1949, Charlie and Mary Martin packed everything they had and headed west.

The road ahead was uncertain. Behind them lay the hills of West Virginia — family, memory, and everything familiar. In front of them stretched miles of highway, long days of driving, and the quiet belief that something better could be built.

They were not chasing something easy. They were building a life.

With a young family, a car loaded with what they could carry, and no guarantees waiting at the other end, they crossed the country and began again — step by step, mile by mile.

That journey would shape everything that followed.

It led to new work, new communities, and a life rooted in California — a life that would grow across generations.

Eighty years later, we return to that road.

Spring 2029 — 80-Year Anniversary

The Martin Plus Family Reunion is being planned for Spring 2029, marking the 80th anniversary of Charlie and Mary’s journey west.

Initial plans include a five-day gathering centered around a weekend, with Las Vegas, Nevada serving as the primary location. We are currently working with resort properties for guest accommodations and group events.

The Journey — “The Winds of Change” Drive

As part of the reunion, family members will have the option to take part in a cross-country drive retracing the spirit of the original journey.

Planned highlights include:

A Cincinnati Reds baseball game

A stop at the Salton Sea

Hotel accommodations in China Lake / Ridgecrest area

Arrival gathering in Las Vegas, Nevada

Follow-on visit to China Lake, California

Participation in the drive will be flexible, with options to join for all or part of the route.

Who Is Invited

It is our hope that this reunion brings together not only the Martin family, but also extended family and friends connected through the years.

This includes those with roots in:

Huntington

Belva

Dixie

Cincinnati

And others whose lives and stories are reflected in Charlie — A Moment in Time.

Looking Ahead

The Martin Plus Family Reunion is in the early planning stages, and details will continue to develop over time.

Please check back for updates as plans take shape.

Comments, questions, and interest are always welcome.