Ryan  (by: Gay Cook, Ryan's mother  -   11/5/2009)

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the outpouring of love and support so many of you have shown. Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories and your sadness that Ryan has stepped out of this world and into eternity. For those who do wonder how fast he was going, we don't have the police report yet. I only know that when a vehicle the size of a motorcycle traveling even 55 or 60 mph hits an almost stationary vehicle the size of a bus, a tragedy like this one occurs. I wake up every morning now with those images and sounds in my mind. Mornings are the hardest, but I pray that when his little niece, his sister's first child, is born, she will help me replace those images and sounds with her darling little face and precious baby sounds. I love you, Ryan, always have, always will. Mom (P.S. You owe me lots and lots of hugs and kisses when I join you in Heaven one day! )

Ryan  (by: Dan T. Davis  -   11/4/2009)

justwondering - re your question of response to you vs Sara - probably you were just the latest comment, nothing distinct about your comment - of course there will always be conjecture, but other articles (you can find them) indicate fog was the major issue, so let's just move on, ok?

To "my thoughts"  (by: just wondering  -   11/4/2009)

I see your point, and Ryan was obviously very much loved by many. One quick question for you though, apparently "Sara's" post was perfectly acceptable to you compared to my innocent one. What made you respond to me and not her?

personal memorial site  (by: Jeff Davis (aka Shadowfire)  -   11/3/2009)

There is now a personal memorial site for Ryan at www.ryanchristophermartin.com. We are still developing the site and we have more to come. Please feel free to stop by the site, we hope this can be a healing tool for all his friends and family, and a tribute to him.

To The Family  (by: Deb Petty  -   11/3/2009)

I did not know Ryan, but know his sister Lisa, as our husbands were stationed together at Ft. Hood and in Iraq. By the messages here I see that Ryan was so loved, respected and will be very missed. May you find the strength to heal from such a great loss. May your memories and love of Ryan carry you through this journey and may your family be your rock. I wish for you that the happy times with Ryan be the lasting impression you have of him. His smile to make you smile, the thought of his laughter, his sense or humor and even those things that drove you nuts will be the one thing that becomes such a comfort to you! May you not travel this journey alone. Much love and respect to Ryan's family....

My dear brother  (by: Lisa S.  -   11/3/2009)

I had the pleasure of becoming Ryan's step sister years ago. I am thankful for the time that God gave me with Ryan. He grew up to be an amazing selfless young man. It has been an agonizing weekend for the family and I am sure that we will have many more hard days ahead of us. Ryan you will be missed by many. We love you. I am respectfully requesting that comments made on this thread be of love and support. Our family is broken. Please don't add to our grief. We have enough to go through right now. To some he may just be a topic of discussion but he was my Brother and we are all hurting.

ryan martin  (by: my thoughts  -   11/2/2009)

just wondering, LET IT GO!!! this page is to remember a remarkable young man, his family knows what happened that day, and thats enough.

  (by: Dan T. Davis  -   11/1/2009)

Life. A flash and it's gone. Your flash hasn't ended yet. Are you reveling in your life? Appreciating each moment? It's so easy just to have each day end up being the next day. Or you can take the moment and make it special. My impression is that is what Ryan did - make each moment special. And yes, his flash ended suddenly, on October 29th. When will your flash end? Will people remember what you did as special (as is obvious of Ryan in the comments just in this internet url), or just ordinary? I am staying up too late tonight, because I am flying at 6am to Florida from Kansas City, but I had to say something. I am attending the funeral, Tuesday, of Ryan Martin, because his flash was bright and special, and deserves remembrance. I hope, when my flash ends, that it deserves the same.

  (by: just wondering  -   11/1/2009)

Did the school bus have fully functional flashers? Even in fog they are usually very visible, especially compared to a regular vehicle.

Ryan  (by: Doug Martin  -   11/1/2009)

I'm Ryans father. My son certainly had good friends as can be seen by other comments. SpIkE, loved his job of helping others and his fellow firefighters will enter the fires of hell to help others....I salute all of you! To parents... give your children a big hug and tell them you love them every chance you get. That is my last memeory of my son and I'm hanging on to it for dear life!

Ryan  (by: FF-RBULLOCK  -   10/31/2009)

For many who did not know ryan, they missed out on one of the best guys in the world. ryan was a very determined, caring, and understanding man. He strived and accomplished success. He preformed his duties as a firefighter and emt at a level of excellence, a man of christ, and of his word, ryan put everyone before himself- his family,his friends and very often perfect strangers. ryan and i fought many fires together, and when we werent fighting over who had the rearfacing jumpseat on the engine, we were out fishing, or mudding, or hanging out with friends. ryan bud i never got to tell you goodbye, you were a brother to me and a best friend, from the long nights out with the guys, or ladies nights with the girls, life isnt gonna be the same without you. i know your holding down the station with god now..you will always have a place at highlands lakes and in our hearts, rest in peace ryan, i love you bro.

Ryan  (by: wemsam  -   10/31/2009)

May God bless the Martin family in this time of sorrow. Besides losing a son, we all lost a friend, a fellow firefighter, and just one heck of a young man. RIP Ryan... you will be miss dearly.

Ryan  (by: jim davis  -   10/31/2009)

As an instructor at Ridge Fire Training, I am heart broken to hear of this accident. As a student at Ridge, he certainly displayed a very caring attitude,.... an ambassador for Chirst,.... and he will be missed. God bless.

Ryan  (by: averagejoesnl  -   10/31/2009)

I Pray that God will touch and comfort Ryans family and friends during this very tragic time. Ryan was a terrific young man who was caring and would do anything for anyone a true hero not just as a firefighter but in life as well. To be a friend of Ryan was truelly an honor, Ryan was a friend I will never forget, Ryans memory will live in our hearts forever. Ryan was a special person that you dont find everyday. I know Ryan is in a much better place and we will see him again and smile and laugh with him once again. RIP my friend. Gay and Tom and family my prayers are with you.

To Spike  (by: Jeff Davis (aka Shadowfire)  -   10/30/2009)

Ryan (aka Spike - gamers callsign) you will be missed by many. You have been a friend to many and I count it an honor to have known you and have been a part of your life. With many memories! Be it through hanging out, going to family gathering or Lan Parties I have witnessed your friendship, kindness and good hearted guestures towards others. I will miss you, a true and great friend. Love ya Bro!

My Cousin Ryan  (by: Robin  -   10/30/2009)

Thank you for all the wonderful comments regarding my cousin. He was a great guy with a big heart. As many have already said, he would help anyone, anyway he could. A few comments have been left that were not necessary. Thank you "J" for setting the record straight regarding how responsible Ryan was. To anyone else that chooses to comment, please show respect. Our family is grieving and we do not need statements that would imply anything negative of Ryan. Think how you would want people to comment or react if it was your brother, sister, best friend. I think about the memory verse my son is learning this week... Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing, Proverbs 12:18

My Cousin Ryan  (by: Robin  -   10/30/2009)

Thank you for all the wonderful comments regarding my cousin. He was a great guy with a big heart. As many have said, he would help anyone, anyway he could. A few comments have been left that were not necessary. Thank you "J" for setting the record straight about how responsible Ryan was. To anyone else that chooses to leave a message, please show respect. Our family is grieving and we do not need statements that would imply anything negative of Ryan. Think how you would want people to react or comment if it was your brother, sister, best friend. I think about the memory verse that my son is learning this week... Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18

Ryan  (by: 1neighbor  -   10/30/2009)

May God be with all those left with a hole in their heart from this tradgic accident! Ryan was like a brother to my family and he was always there to help in any way that he could.Ryan was one of the sweetest guys I knew and he will truely be missed by us all! RIP Ryan!

Ryan  (by: 8142 and family  -   10/30/2009)

You were a great friend and always brought a smile to everyone in the family. You were an awesome person and an even better firefighter. You will be missed.

Ryan Martin  (by: Jan Lazo-Davis  -   10/30/2009)

I have been privileged to have known Ryan his entire life. He was an upstanding man who anyone would be proud to call Son, Brother, or Friend. I was pleased when he became a Fire Fighter. His heart was totally responding to help others. I was further pleased when he became an EMT. Deep condolences I pray for Gay & Tom, Doug, Jenny & Mike. And to the many others who will miss Ryan because his life touched many. I will see you in Heaven someday my friend.

RYAN  (by: my thoughts  -   10/30/2009)

sara, there is nothing on the books yet to say ryan was speeding.. a person can do the normal speed limit and hit somthing and get thrown like that. it was very very dense fog that morning. let it go!!! his friends and famly are grieving right now. let them have this page to remember him by.

  (by: Bill & Barbara Brewner  -   10/30/2009)

We are very sorry to hear about the loss of Ryan and we know he's with Jesus now and at Peace. He was a very nice young man and we are blessed to have known him through his Mom and Dad, Gay and Tom Cook. You are such a nice Christian family and loved by your church family. You are in our prayers & thoughts. We pray God lifts you up at this sad time of your life. We love you, God Bless You.

Ryan  (by: Luis  -   10/30/2009)

He will surely be missed by everyone. He was a great friend in High School and out of H.S. I will miss him deeply

speed  (by: Sara  -   10/30/2009)

" he was ejected almost a hundred ft" How fast does one have to be going in heavy fog to be thrown almost a hundred ft in the air?

Ryan Martin  (by: Michael Brewner  -   10/30/2009)

Ryan was the sweetest most genuine person that I've known. He would do anything for anyone and put everyone before him. I got the pleasure of going to church with him and being the same age we spent a lot of time together in our young adults class. We all will truly miss him but we all are sure to see him again in Heaven. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gay and Tom and the rest of the family.

Ryan  (by: FF8547  -   10/30/2009)

What can I say other than you couldn't ask for a better friend and firefighter brother. We were in ff160 class and EMT class together and I worked with him at the Sebring International Raceway. He always had that drive to be the best that he could be in what ever he did. I agree with the previous comment " i hope the county gives ryan full honors as a firefighter when he is laid to rest", he deserves nothing less. God bless you Ryan for being such a great friend. RIP Ryan (Squirrel)

You Will Be missed  (by: Firefighter  -   10/30/2009)

Our prays go out to Ryan family both blood and his extended firefighter family. I had the pleasure of working with Ryan during his time with Highlands County fire service. Ryan will be missed by all he has touched though the years. RIP Firefighter/EMT Ryan Martin.

  (by: J  -   10/29/2009)

If you ever knew ryan then you had meet one of the very true real friends that you can have in life. He was a great guy that was so easy to get along with and would help you out in any way he could. I am very sorry that his family is having to go through this right know. To Rn I seriously doubt speed played an involvement ryan was always a very safe guy and had taken a safety course for motorcycles even when he didn't have to. He wasn't the type of guy to be doing something stupid and irresponsible. R.I.P. Ryan Martin you will be truly missed.

Ryan  (by: Mike FF 8632  -   10/29/2009)

My thoughts and prayers go out to Ryan’s family. I have had the honor and privilege to serve with Ryan for the past five years at the Highlands Lakes Volunteer Fire Department as his Asst. Chief. You will be missed by all of us at the station. We have shared many memories both on the job and off the job as friends. I thank god that he has given me the opportunity to know you and be your friend. Thanks for your dedicated service to the residents of Highlands County.

truly a good man  (by: admirer  -   10/29/2009)

I am deeply saddened by the loss of one of the nicest men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. One of the few nice guys that were left I will miss you Ryan and I will never forget you :'(

A fallen brother....  (by: FF8602  -   10/29/2009)

Ryan, brother you have now moved on to a better place, god bless you. Please put in some good words for us to the chief above as you look over us. To Ryans family, may God bless you Thank You for bring Ryan to us as a brother and a friend in the Fire Service, he has millions of brothers in this world and was loved by all of us in our own way. God bless you remember all of the good times. As we will to. My regret is not getting to spend anymore time chilling with ya brother, just remember we got that trailer damn hot bro. To the public, please bow your head and remember a great man and a deadicated public servant who loved helping you. Please say a prayer for his friends and family, they need it tonight as Ryan RIP brother!!!!

Ryan  (by: Firefighter   -   10/29/2009)

He was a great co-worker and friend. He will be missed greatly. RIP Ryan Martin. You will never be forgotten.

The Good Die Young  (by: broken hearted  -   10/29/2009)

Ryan will be missed by a lot of people. He was truly a good person, with a big heart! My heart hurts so much for his family. He loved them so much (as do I)! I thank God for giving me a chance to know and love him and pray for the comfort of his family!!!

Ryan  (by: fellow classmate  -   10/29/2009)

I went to school with Ryan and knew him many years. He is actually one of the few people I kept in touch with since we gradutated. I will really miss him.RIP Ryan.

  (by: Justin  -   10/29/2009)

ryan my heart goes out to your mom and dad. We had some pretty good times at the fire station. I still have that thing robby made in front of the station where you hit me with a peace of drywall. it was so funny.. and when the hurricanes came you were right there to run calls with all of us.you were a dear friend to me. you may be gone from this earth but i hope to ride on a truck with you again some day. bye ryan

Ryan  (by: RN  -   10/29/2009)

I am sorry to hear about Ryan, But just reading how far he was from the intersection and how far the motorcycle was from the intersection, sounds like speed was involved. I am sorry for his family and all of the fire fighters in Highlands County for their loss.

ryan  (by: my thoughts  -   10/29/2009)

To Ryans family, many prayers for you in this horrible time, so sad.I know that fog was very very dense this morning. i hope the county gives ryan full honors as a firefighter when he is laid to rest. rest in peace young man, thank you for serving our county as a firefighter.

Ryan  (by: fellowff  -   10/29/2009)

For those of you not familiar with Ryan he was a dedicated young man in pursuit of a fire service career. Ryan was on his way to work at his assigned fire station in south Lake Placid when the wreck occurred. Ryan will be greatly missed by those that he worked with, and the lives he touched. RIP Firefighter Ryan Martin.