News : Concert surprise: Underwood thanks local natives for military service

The Martins react to their surprise meeting with Carrie Underwood Monday in Philadelphia.

Jon & Cara Martin and family received thanks for their military service from Carrie Underwood.

Two local natives who have spent the last decade serving their country received a surprise word of thanks from one of America’s biggest superstars this week.

Sgt. First Class Jonathon Martin and his wife, Cara (McCubbin) Martin, were backstage with their daughters Eryca and Taryn before a Carrie Underwood concert Monday night, when the singer walked in and stood beside Jonathon.

“It was so awesome when she came out to meet us,” says Cara, who attended school in Vinton. “We were in the middle of interviews with the media and she just came from behind and stood next to my husband. I had to do a double-take.”

Operation Homefront, an organization that provides a variety of support services for military families, arranged a series of concerts to honor those who have served their country and to give Underwood a chance to thank them.

Underwood told the Martins it was nice to be able to thank them and their family. The Philly concert was one of several tour stops where Underwood plans to meet and thank veterans.

The Martins and their daughters returned home with many souvenirs and photos.

“They each got this dog tag necklace from Carnival and Operation Homefront, and of course we had to buy them some Carrie Underwood shirts." The family will also receive autographed copies of the photos of them with the singer.

“Carrie was actually quieter than I expected, almost a little timid, which honestly made her seem more real to me” Cara recalls. “The girls didn't pay that any mind and instantly started talking to her. The best part was hearing about 10-15 minutes of my daughter, Taryn, running her mouth non-stop, as she asks ‘Are you Carrie Underwood?’ Taryn was expecting the long hair.”

Before the concert, the girls each drew and colored a photo of Carrie Underwood.

“They've never been to a concert before so when we told them we were going, they drew pictures, not understanding that you don't actually get to give them to her. But lo and behold, she walked in and they actually were able to give her the pictures,” says Cara.

Both Cara and Jonathon, who is from Center Point, joined the Army, in 2000. In 2004, Cara joined and was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, where she was a supply specialist. She was discharged from the Reserves in 2012, and is currently works for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where she is a Logistics Item Manager at the Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center.SFC Jonathon Martin is currently the Center Commander of the Lansdale Army Recruiting Center; he was assigned to that center about a year ago. He did one tour in Iraq and two in Afghanistan as a combat infantryman with the 1-505 PIR based in Fort Bragg, N.C.

“We moved here exactly one year ago from Wisconsin, where Jon was previously assigned. Other than home, Wisconsin was by far our favorite location,” says Cara. The couple met after joining the Army but while both were back home in Iowa.

“Operation Homefront was looking for a military family in the area we are stationed now to participate in the concert event and asked if we'd be interested,” Cara explains. “The kids were so excited. They'd been listening to her videos non-stop for days before the concert.”

The concert, itself, says Cara, was “sincerely amazing.”

“Carrie puts on a fabulous performance,” she adds.

But the family received two more unique invitations while speaking to the singer.

“While Carrie was out there with us, Carnival announced they were sending us on a cruise; we actually get to pick it ourselves. In addition, they announced that Carrie would be performing again at a private concert for military families Nov. 4 in NYC aboard Carnival's new ship the "Vista." The Martins are invited to this event, although the ship will remain at port during the show.

Since the concert, the Martins have spent many hours this week in the news, being interviewed by morning news shows in the Philadelphia area.

“The girls were more than happy to be the center of attention. They ate the cameras up, especially our younger daughter, Taryn," Cara says. "The news anchors during one of our live segments actually loved her so much they put her up in the chair at the anchor desk and had just her stay on the air with them when they came back from commercial break.”