The View today- Iraq war vet being cast on All My Children

not sure who else watched it.....but JR Martinez on The View this morning truly inspired me......here is this man who found hope despite facing life changing disfigurement from the Iraq war. so for me to just lose my job two days ago, watch this guy so bright, cheerful and full of hope finding the positive in the worst of circumstances, it really reminded me "the best things in life are free"

here's an article on his background(keep a kleenex handy!)

JR Martinez

excerpt from another article:

He was deployed to Iraq in February and in April 2003, J.R. was serving as a driver of a Humvee when his left front tire hit a landmine and he suffered severe burns to more than 40 percent of his body as well as smoke inhalation. He was then evacuated to Landstuhl, Germany for immediate care and then eventually Martinez arrived at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, TX to begin his road to recovery. He spent 34 months at BAMC, undergoing 32 different surgeries, including skin grafts and cosmetic surgery.

After his recovery, he joined the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes as a National Spokesperson in 2004. He has since worked with CSAH to promote their financial assistance and support programs to other wounded service members and inspire the lives of others through his amazing story of resilience, perseverance and optimism. While J.R.'s experience is certainly life-changing, amazingly JR claims this is actually a change for the better. He's discovered it's what's inside a person that matters most and devotes himself to showing others the true value in making the most of every situation.

By the way, on the View he mentioned he was conscious the whole time the Humvee was on fire and he was stuck inside, he truly felt his life flashed before him....he pictured them presenting a flag to his mother at his funeral....I think that gave him the strength to fight on so his mother wouldn't lose him needless to say, I was crying like a baby when I was watching it this morning!!

Re: The View today- Iraq war vet being cast on All My Children

OMG..I was hysterical too.

He is such an inspiration and is just beautiful, inside and out. When he said he felt everything and then picturing his mother being handed the flag, had me balling. A truly amazing story.

Re: The View today- Iraq war vet being cast on All My Children

It's a great storyline on AMC. Also, they had some group therapy sessions with real war vets describing their experiences. AMC did a great job at bringing some real life issues into the storyline.

Re: The View today- Iraq war vet being cast on All My Children

I wish I had seen it! He's doing great on AMC.

Re: The View today- Iraq war vet being cast on All My Children

JR Martinez was on the show I produced...The BRICK AWARDS...

The appearance was him and a colleague and they were part of the Coalition mentioned above that LeAnn Rhimes and Kelloggs supported and endorsed. He was so sweet and genuine and when I had to tell him and his group that their appearance (which garnered thunderous applause and a standing O) didn't make the show because of timing issues, they were beyond gracious, telling ME that the opportunity just to be involved was amazing...and tey enjoyed their trip to the NYC.

I was happy to see him profiled in People a few months back and even happier to see that he got the AMC opportunity as well. He was obviously injured, but he is one of those rare people that just puts you at ease and you see right away that he is so much more than that!

Message edited 12/8/2008 3:45:41 PM.