FISHER HOUSE - HELPING MILITARY FAMILIES

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ABC reality show Dancing with the Stars winner, J.R. Martinez returned to Fort Campbell Sunday to be reintroduced to the battalion he served in while at the Army Post.

Martinez’s story is sadly not unique to Fort Campbell soldiers, but the journey the former soldier and now reality star has taken is. On April 5, 2003, J.R. Martinez a soldier in the 2nd Battalion, 502 Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division of Fort Campbell, drove a Humvee in Karbala over a land mine. It was a moment that would end Martinez’s life as he knew it, but give birth to an entirely new life devoted still devoted to service to American soldiers.

After the accident Martinez’s vehicle caught fire and burned the soldier over 40 percent of his body. According to the star, the battle had just begun when he was transported out of the war zone.

“The war that I fought over in Iraq is nothing like the war I fought coming home; the war I continue to fight,” said Martinez.

Martinez explained that after seeing his face, he often asked the question, “Why?” For the wounded soldier, when it seems you are in what seems to be the worst situation of your life the answers are often right there. How a person chooses to view each day is up to them explained Martinez.

In speaking directly to male soldiers present Martinez told them there was nothing wrong for a man to admit they have fears. The Dancing with the Stars winner told the soldiers they must talk about their fears and their pain because it is one of the things they fought for, the ability to speak up. Martinez hoped that like him, each soldier can find a way to overcome whatever I thrown at them but ultimately it is up to that individual.

Today, Martinez told the crowd, he has chosen to live for the soldiers who will never come home.

“Life is a beautiful thing. It’s not easy,” said Martinez. “It’s not easy,” he repeated.

While talking about his rise from a soldier in recovery from such severe burns to a television star, Martinez said, “I don’t have any regrets.”
Martinez tried to explain that life was very much like a puzzle. Every piece has a purpose and is important. According to Martinez it takes all the pieces to see the complete picture.

“You have to smile, “Martinez said. “You have to give life a chance.”

When Martinez began his recovery in Texas he started by setting simple goals, attainable goals just to get through the day. As his recovery progressed, his goals grew. At the prompting of a nurse at the burn unit, Martinez began visiting other patients and sharing his experience with them to try and help them to find their own way to recovery.

The hospital eventually requested Martinez act as a spokesperson for the hospital during local media events. Prompted by his family’s own financial need, Martinez established a nonprofit to assist wounded soldiers families.

The recovering soldier’s first big interview was with the television news magazine 60 Minutes and shortly after that, Oprah interviewed Martinez. Taking a chance, Martinez auditioned for and received a reoccurring role on the daytime soap opera All My Children. It was he cancellation of the long running program that prompted Martinez to try out for the reality show, Dancing with the Stars. His long journey ended in national notoriety and a win in one of television’s most popular competitive shows.

“Who would have thought I would go from combat boots to two inch heels,” said Martinez.

During his motivational speech J.R. Martinez received a coin of excellence from the 502nd, as well as becoming a Distinguished Member of the 502 Regiment. The soldiers and families who attended Sunday’s meeting sat intently listening to the speaker’s support and praise of the U.S. Army. Martinez promised he has not stopped serving his country. The star explained he continues to serve; he just does so in a totally different way.

“My weapons are my words, my uniform are my scars,” said Martinez.

During the reality star’s visit to Fort Campbell Martinez visited The Fisher House and families of wounded soldiers. Following his visit to the facility, Martinez took part in a dance presentation at Schools of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration and Skills (SKIES) Unlimited. While interacting with the children at SKIES, Martinez spoke about how it felt to be considered one of the sexist men live by People Magazine, as well as his final performance in Dancing with the Stars.

For Martinez, earning the coveted position of being considered “sexy” by the magazine tells him that America has grown to look deeper than a face in people. Martinez explained that it meant sexy was defined as recognizing inner beauty and respect.

J.R. Martinez’s star is far from fading. The soldier intends to continue his motivational speaking as well as honoring the men and women of the armed forces. What has gained the most focus for Martinez is a book that is currently in the works.

Martinez said he had come back to Fort Campbell because it is a great way to reflect how far he has come and in the process to continue to serve.

Whatever plans Martinez has for the future his character can be summed up in how he convinced his dance partner Karina Smirnoff to take on a difficult step, “I will never drop you.”

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