Friendship Corps leads to ageless buddies

DALTON GARDENS — At 96, Marty Martell has found the perfect friend to hang with — a fellow World War II veteran. But Martell said he prefers to do the driving.

That's because his buddy, Denney Seamster, is 100.

"We go places together, but I definitely like to drive," Martell said with a smile while chatting with Seamster.

Amazingly, both men, who became acquainted via the Friendship Corps through the Area Agency on Aging of North Idaho's Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), still drive.

"Oh, he's offered to drive, but I'm just a little leery," Martell said.

Seamster said he was told by a driver's license staffer when he renewed his license that he was the oldest resident in Kootenai County to have a license. As long as residents pass vision and sign recognition exams and a skills test they can maintain a license, regardless of their age.

"It didn't bother me," Seamster said of the exams. "I thought, 'At least I've been driving quite a while.'"

RSVP director Bob Small recalls when Martell popped into his office a year ago hunting for someone to regularly visit with. After Martell requested a cup of coffee — decaf, thank you — Small said he was pleased to find Martell a match in Seamster.

"They spoke for four hours the first time they met," Small said.

Friendship Corps pairs volunteers such as Martell with clients such as Seamster who can benefit from companionship.

"Study after study indicates that socialization helps with depression and anxiety," Small said.

Dave Hoover, Friendship Corps volunteer specialist, added: "A caring person in someone's life can make a world of difference."

Both veterans are thankful for each other's friendship.

"One of the things I learned early on in life is that you don't volunteer," Martell said. "You don't want to be the sucker. But this is a great program. I wouldn't do it if I didn't like it. I like to talk to veterans. It's important."

He said he hopes his visits inspire others to overcome hurdles.

"A lot of people would be OK if they just try," Martell said. "You have to fight a bit. I have a cane in my car, but I'll be damned if I ever want to use it."

The veterans trade war stories, go out for breakfast and chat just about anything. Even while others are in the same room speaking to them, the veterans will oftentimes spark a separate conversation between just them, a sign of a special bonding.

"He's a buddy and a fine old guy," Martell said of Seamster.

The feelings are mutual, Seamster said of Martell.

"I haven't found anything to dislike about him," Seamster said with a grin. "He's open to talking about anything."

Martell said he's still learning about Seamster in bits and pieces, but that's OK, he said. That keeps him coming back.

"I'm still trying to get all of his background, but it's hard," Martell said. "He's still a mystery. I'm still trying to get it figured out."

Martell said he wants to be just like Seamster when he grows up.

"He doesn't take pills or anything," Martell said. "He's healthier than I am and he's a lot skinnier, too. I don't think I'm going to catch up with him (in age). I'm just living on borrowed time so I don't worry about it anymore."

In the meantime, Martell said he'll continue to converse.

"I'm just interested in veterans," he said. "A lot of them don't get the attention they deserve. I don't care where or how they served. If they served, they served."

For more information about the Friendship Corps, call Dave Hoover at 667-3179, ext. 227.