J.R. Martinez and Dakota Meyer, Featured Speakers at National Conference Available for Media Interviews

The former U.S. Army Officer and Dancing with the Stars Champ Joins American Hero and Medal of Honor Recipient for Foundations Recovery Network conference to focus on the treatment of service men, women, and their families

Nashville, Tennessee. April 5, 2011 – Popular servicemen  J.R. Martinez and Dakota Meyer are the guest speakers at the upcoming Freedom & Recovery conference in San Diego, CA held April 23-26, 2012.   The conference brings together leading experts specializing in the treatment of service men, women, and their families. 

Medal of Honor recipient, Dakota Meyer will be featured on Tuesday, April 24 and retired U.S. Army soldier and “Dancing with the Stars” champion, J.R. Martinez will be featured on Wednesday, April 25. Both speakers will present their inspiring and motivational stories in the Crown room at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego.  Each presentation will conclude with an interactive Q&A time.  Both Meyer and Martinez hope to bring attention to the various treatment methods available to returning military men and women while also raising the level of awareness of how our military is affected by the circumstances of war and service.

J.R. Martinez and Dakota Meyer are now available for media interviews in-studio or by phone. Media is also invited to attend and cover on site.

A limited number of tickets are available to media. For more information about the conference and to purchase tickets please visit: foundationsrecoverynetwork.com

About J.R. Martinez:

While many may know him as an actor or from his recent participation on Dancing With the Stars or being named the 2012 Grand Marshal for the Tournament of Roses festivities, J.R. Martinez is also a retired U.S. Army Solider who was deployed to Iraq in 2003. While serving, he sustained burns over 40% of his body after his Humvee crossed a land mine. During his recovery, he spent time visiting and encouraging other patients. Martinez now travels the country sharing his life-changing story and message of resilience and optimism. He has devoted himself to showing others the true value in making the most of every situation. His experience was certainly life changing, but he states it is a change for the better. We are very excited to present the opportunity to spend an evening with J.R. Martinez as he discusses his motivational and inspiring journey.

About Dakota Meyer:

This U.S. Marine veteran was recently awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration, by President Obama. He is the third living recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War, and the first living United States Marine in 38 years to be so honored. Meyer served in both Iraq and Afghanistan but his most notable efforts occurred in September 2009. During the attack near Ganjgal, with disregard for his own life, Meyer help to evacuate both trapped and wounded soldiers. He insists that he is not a hero and any Marine would do the same thing. Back home, this highly decorated service member has issued a "Challenge to America" to raise an additional $1 Million for the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. As a speaker, he addresses inspiration, motivation, courage, leadership, believing in yourself, and doing what is right.

About Foundations Recovery Network:

Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Foundations Recovery Network is one of the premier organizations for treating those with co-occurring addiction and mental health disorders. The FRN family of treatment facilities includes Michael’s House in Palm Springs, Calif.; The Canyon in Malibu, Calif.; La Paloma in Memphis, Tenn. and a full-service outpatient treatment center in Atlanta, Ga. All FRN facilities employ an “integrated treatment” approach, focusing on a dual-diagnosis model for lasting recovery.

Contact:

Caroline Galloway (440) 591-3807 or at cngalloway@aol.com

Panetta Welcomes Army Vet, Dancing Champion to Pentagon

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2011 – Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta yesterday hosted a multi-starred Pentagon welcome for recent celebrity Iraq War veteran and “Dancing with the Stars” champion Jose Rene “J.R.” Martinez.

Martinez, a former Army infantryman who was severely burned by a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2003, also met with Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other senior leaders, said Doug Wilson, assistant secretary of defense for public affairs.

“As Martinez made his way down the corridor to Panetta's office,” Wilson said, “young military aides, seasoned officers and civilian assistants poured out of offices to meet and congratulate the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ winner -- who happily accommodated every request for a handshake or photo.”

During the brief visit, he added, Martinez also shook hands with Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, former commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, who made clear his pride in Martinez as a national symbol of the determination and accomplishments of America's wounded warriors.

Martinez and partner Karina Smirnoff were crowned champions on the ABC television program after a final dancing competition against other contestants Nov. 22 in Los Angeles.

Panetta called Martinez on Nov. 25 to congratulate him on his victory and reiterate his conviction that Martinez stands as a testament to wounded warriors’ strength and resilience.

In 2003, Martinez was a 19-year-old Army infantryman assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq. He was driving a Humvee there when the vehicle hit a roadside bomb.

Martinez suffered smoke inhalation and severe burns to more than 40 percent of his body, including his face and hands.

He was evacuated to Landstuhl, Germany, and later transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where he spent 34 months. He has undergone 33 cosmetic and skin-graft surgeries.

While in recovery, Martinez began to visit other patients in the hospital, sharing his story and listening to theirs. Since then, he has spoken to audiences at corporations, veterans groups, nonprofits and schools.

In 2008, Martinez landed a role as an Iraq war veteran on the ABC soap opera, “All My Children,” which led to his “Dancing with the Stars” appearances this year.

Martinez described his visit with Panetta for the Pentagon Channel.

“It was really cool,” he said. “There are a lot of important things happening right now outside J.R. Martinez, so for him and everyone else on his staff to take the time to meet with me was a tremendous honor.”

To Panetta, Martinez said, “Listen, I’m a soldier, I’ll always be a soldier, and I want to share the message from whatever platform that I have. As [the Defense Department is] hammering out ways to take care of our troops in different ways, I want to be able to find a way to express that to the general public.”

Martinez said he never could have imagined such a meeting at the Pentagon back when he joined the Army in 2002.

“It just goes to show that things happen in life,” he said. “As we continue to walk through our life after the adversity, our heads naturally are down because we’re grieving through that process.

“But it’s important for us to pick our heads up through that process,” the former infantryman continued, “because then you see opportunities, you see great things that could potentially be a new beginning for you.”

On Dec. 4 Martinez will visit Fort Campbell, Ky., home of the 101st Airborne Division, where he was stationed before deploying to Iraq.

“I’ve been getting a lot of military support throughout this whole process of being on the show,” he said, “so it’s important for me when I’m close to any kind of base to go and visit these troops and their families and say thank you, sign some autographs, take some pictures and just hang out.”

Martinez said he thought meeting with his military friends would be “a lot tougher” after the Dancing with the Stars win.

“I thought I was going to get a lot of grief from my military friends about wearing rhinestones and ballroom shoes with two-inch heels,” Martinez said. “I thought I was going to get a lot of grief from that, but I guess they kind of left me alone because they’re like, ‘He actually can dance so we have no way to mess with him.’”

The feedback Martinez has received from the troops “has been overwhelming in a positive way,” he said. Troops have told him it’s great to see a fellow soldier succeed, he said, and to see him use his celebrity to be a voice for U.S. troops and their families.

Martinez’s next celebrity appearance is on Jan. 2, 2012, when he will serve as grand marshal of the Tournament of Roses New Year’s Parade in Pasadena, Calif.

Martinez said he’s also working on a book and wants to continue acting and doing motivational speaking.

“I’m booking myself a lot right now to travel the country and share the message of perseverance and positivity and faith,” he said.

Those activities “work together in a lot of ways,” Martinez said, and provide a platform for him to raise awareness about U.S. service members and their families.

“I have been able to be a role model and a voice for a lot of [troops] who don’t feel that they have a voice for themselves,” Martinez said.

“I’ve been able to be a source of inspiration to the families as well,” he added, “to say good things do happen and you’ve just got to be patient and have a great attitude.”

Panetta Congratulates ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Champion

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON  – The injured Army Iraqi War veteran who earned first place with his partner on the television show “Dancing with the Stars” symbolizes the strength and tenacity possessed by the nation’s wounded warriors, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said.

“I am writing to extend my most sincere congratulations on your ‘Dancing with The Stars’ victory,” Panetta wrote in a recent letter addressed to Jose Rene “J.R.” Martinez.

“Over the course of this competition,” the secretary added, “your spirit captivated the nation and your victory sends a powerful message about the strength and resilience of our wounded warriors.”

Martinez and partner Karina Smirnoff were crowned champions on the ABC reality program after a final dancing competition against other contestants Nov. 22 in Los Angeles.

Panetta also made a phone call to Martinez today, Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. John Kirby said. Panetta again congratulated Martinez on his victory and reiterated his conviction that Martinez stands as testament to the strength and the resilience of wounded warriors.

During his call to Martinez, Panetta also expressed his admiration for the effort expended by the dancers in preparing for each routine, Kirby said.

During his phone conversation with Panetta, Martinez credited his military training and experience for his performance and his ability to prepare for the show, Kirby said.

The Iraq veteran also reaffirmed his pride at having served in uniform, Kirby said.

Panetta concluded the 10-minute call by inviting Martinez to the Pentagon for a personal meeting. Plans are now in the works to arrange that meeting in the very near future, Kirby said.

On “Dancing with the Stars,” celebrities are paired with professional dancers and over several months perform predetermined dances and compete against other dancers for judges' points and audience votes.

In 2003, Martinez was a 19-year-old Army infantryman assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq. He was driving a Humvee there when the vehicle hit a roadside bomb.

Martinez suffered smoke inhalation and severe burns to more than 40 percent of his body, including his face and hands.

He was evacuated to Landstuhl, Germany, and later transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where he spent 34 months. He has undergone 33 cosmetic and skin-graft surgeries.

While in recovery, the former infantryman began to visit other patients in the hospital, sharing his story and listening to theirs. Since then, Martinez has spoken to audiences at corporations, veterans groups, nonprofits and schools.

In 2009, Martinez was honored by the nonprofit Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America with the Veterans Leadership Award, given in recognition of his dedication to the nation's newest generation of veterans.

“In the eight years since your injury,” Panetta wrote in his letter to Martinez, “you have done extraordinary work assisting other wounded warriors and raising public awareness of the challenges our service members and their families face when they return home, and I would like to commend you for your tireless efforts in this arena.”

The secretary added, “You represent an entire generation -- what I call the next greatest generation -- that has been willing to put their lives on the line for our country.”

In 2008, Martinez landed a role as an Iraq war veteran on the ABC soap opera, “All My Children,” which led to his “Dancing with the Stars” appearances this year.

In his letter to Martinez, Panetta wrote of his belief that the Army veteran would “continue to be a passionate advocate for our wounded warriors and all our veterans in the years ahead.”

“So, thank you for your continuing service, for your sacrifice,” the secretary added, “and please accept my warmest wishes for a joyous holiday season for you and your family.”

Wounded Warrior ‘Dances With the Stars’ for Troops

If you enjoy Dancing With the Stars you'll like getting the newest and best celebrity news on the web!

By Terri Moon Cronk

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2011 – At 28, J.R. Martinez already has experienced life as a soldier wounded in combat, as a motivational speaker and as a soap opera actor.

This season, he added another entry to his resume as a contestant in the hit ABC television series “Dancing with the Stars.”

Martinez dances on the show to call attention to the work of U.S. service members and veterans to keep alive their sacrifices, he said in a recent Pentagon Channel interview.

“I was injured, but able to turn it around into something positive to use as a voice for our service members and veterans,” he said.

Whether Martinez and his partner dance a lively jive number or a passionate rumba, he said, he keeps one thought in mind. “Because I want to inspire and move people, I want to do it in such a big way,” he said. “I have to make that impact.”

And to deliver that impact, Martinez gives audiences everything he’s got.

“I have to expose myself and be willing to share who I am -- my struggles and not just the joys, the laughter and the jokes,” he said.

Television appearances and a career as a motivational speaker likely weren’t on his mind when Martinez enlisted in the Army in 2002 and joined the 101st Airborne Division’s “Strike” brigade at Fort Campbell, Ky.

He was deployed to Iraq in 2003 when the left front tire of the Humvee he was driving hit a landmine. Three soldiers were thrown from the burning vehicle, but Martinez was trapped inside. With severe burns over 40 percent of his body, Martinez spent the next 34 months recovering at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where he endured more than 33 skin grafts and reconstructive surgeries.

During his hospital recovery, Martinez had a chance conversation that would change the course of his life. A hospital staff member asked Martinez to share some of his experience to help another service member who had been admitted with burn injuries.

“I didn’t know what I was going to say to the young man,” Martinez said. “I was somewhat intimidated, but after talking to him about 45 minutes, I realized I was able to help him -- give him insight and hope -- which is something we all want in life.”

That conversation left Martinez wanting to help other people, and he became a motivational speaker in 2004. Fluent in Spanish and English, he traveled the country, sharing his experiences and encouraging resilience and optimism to audiences as varied as veterans’ groups, schools and corporations.

Martinez also became active in a variety of nonprofit veterans organizations. He serves as national spokesman for the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, which promotes and supports programs for wounded warriors. News of his work spread quickly, leading to appearances on “Oprah,” “60 Minutes” and CNN.

His career was progressing rapidly, and in 2008, he landed an acting role on the daytime drama “All My Children” playing combat veteran Brot Monroe after a nationwide search to find a real-life soldier to play the part. After Martinez was hired, the character’s injuries were created to match his own.

Martinez continues to balance motivational speaking, charity work and acting, and has begun writing his memoir, according to ABC.

“I think the courage is within me,” Martinez said of his experiences and his successes. “It’s no different than the men and women who go into the military and choose that life. It’s just something that’s instilled in us, and we just do it.”

The “Dancing the Stars” celebrity competition continues for Martinez and dance partner Karina Smirnoff tonight and tomorrow on ABC.

Family Matters Blog: Wounded Warrior to Star in Reality Show

By Elaine Sanchez

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2011 – A few weeks ago, I was browsing the Web, filling my insatiable appetite for pop culture trivia, when I saw a familiar face among the new cast of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”

Among a line of reality and pop stars was Army veteran J.R. Martinez, a wounded warrior turned motivational speaker and actor. I smiled as I recalled meeting the former soldier three years ago.

At the time, I was the post newspaper editor at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio and had volunteered to write about a special camp for military teens whose parents were wounded or deployed.

The camp took place at the middle school, and when I arrived, the teens already had split into small groups to share their stories. One table in particular caught my eye. A group of 16- and 17-year-olds was intently listening to a wounded warrior as he shared his wartime experiences.

I approached the table, camera in hand, and first noticed his face was heavily scarred. But after a few seconds, I saw only a young man with a ready smile, at ease with the teens around him. He laughed and joked with them as he talked about his experiences and shared his message of resilience and hope, qualities he had acquired in spades several years ago.

In March 2003, Martinez was less than a month into his deployment when the Humvee he was driving struck a landmine. Three soldiers were thrown from the burning vehicle, but Martinez was trapped inside. He suffered severe burns to more than 40 percent of his body.

He spent 34 months in recovery at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, and underwent 33 surgeries.

While in recovery, Martinez began to share his story with other burn patients, which eventually led him to become a highly sought-after motivational speaker. He now travels the country, spreading a message of resilience and optimism. He also pursued an acting career, and plays a combat veteran on ABC’s “All My Children.”

That day in San Antonio, Martinez shared his story with me and his desire to help others. He hoped the teens would be able to relate to him, he said, and gain inspiration from his story.

I met many wounded warriors in my time at Fort Sam, but Martinez left a lasting impression. He could have withdrawn after such a terrible tragedy. But instead, he has stepped into the spotlight with an indelible message of hope.

I’m excited about his upcoming appearance on the new season of “Dancing with the Stars.” While people may tune in to see the sambas and cha chas, I hope they also are reminded of the immense sacrifices our service members are making each day, and their astonishing ability to soar even after the greatest adversity.