Dancing with the Stars...Jr Martinez...our Wounded Warrior

Dancing on Angel Wings
09/21/11

Angels and Stars are what heaven is made of... and Soldiers' Angels is proud to stand in support of J.R. Martinez in his dance to the top with Dancing with the Stars!

J.R. Martinez was deployed to Iraq as an Army Infantryman in February 2003. That April he was a driver of a Humvee when his left front tire hit a landmine; he suffered severe burns to more than 40 percent of his body, as well as smoke inhalation. He was evacuated to Landstuhl, Germany for immediate care and then eventually transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, TX to begin his road to recovery. He spent 34 months at BAMC and has undergone 33 cosmetic and skin graft surgeries.

During his time in recovery, a nurse asked him to speak to a burn patient who had just seen his body for the first time and had become withdrawn. After an approximately 45-minute visit, the patient opened the curtain, letting light into his room. J.R. then understood the impact he had on that patient and decided to use his experience to help others, visiting with several of the patients in the hospital, sharing his story and listening to theirs.

Since then, J.R. has become a highly sought-after motivational speaker, traveling the country to spread his message of resilience and optimism. He is called on by a wide-range of groups, including large corporations, veterans groups, nonprofits and schools.

"The Army taught me a lot, but there's one thing it didn't teach me....
the Viennese Waltz. " - J.R. Martinez

Now it is time for J.R. Martinez to inspire a new audience, to dance to the top and share with the world the day-to-day struggles of the wounded warriors of America and how one can overcome hurdles with due diligence.

Soldiers’ Angels volunteers across the nation are encouraged to watch Dancing with the Stars every Monday night and vote for J.R. after the show by calling 1-800-868-3410 (800-VOTE4-10), or AT&T customers can Text code: 3410. Lines open at the beginning of each show for viewers to phone and text vote for their favorite couples, and will stay open for 30 minutes after the end of the show in each time zone. Online voting ends at 11AM ET/8AM PT the day following the performances. If you have a twitter account you can also help J.R. by tweeting: @DancingABC GO TEAM #MARTINOFF all the way @soldiersangels LOVES JR! #military #SOT #milblog 1800-868-3410 #vote #monday #DWTH

Stop by to see the updates of the show here for the twelve weeks of the show...

Team Martinoff – J.R. Martinez & Karina Smirnoff

September 19, 2011 with the Viennese Waltz – Song Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson (video here); 8-7-7 for a total of 22 puts them in a tie with Chynna and Tony for the highest score of the night.