User:JRmartinez

Jose Rene Martinez (born June 14, 1983) is an American actor, spokesman and soldier (retired). J.R. plays the role of Brot Monroe in ABC’s Emmy® Award-winning daytime drama, "All My Children.” Martinez's first airdate on the program was Friday, November 7, 2008. Prior to acting, J.R. joined the non-profit organization, Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, as their national spokesman, a role he has held since 2004. In 2003, J.R. experienced severe burns to over 40 percent of his body while serving as a United States Army infantryman in Iraq. After a long and difficult recovery, J.R. spends his time traveling the country extensively in his role as a spokesman and motivational speaker sharing his message of resilience and optimism to large corporations, veteran groups, schools, and other organizations.

Early life
J.R. Martinez was born in Shreveport, LA on June 14, 1983 to Maria Zavala. He has two sisters, Consuelo and Anabel. Both sisters were raised in El Salvador with his mother’s family. Anabel died as a toddler before J.R. was ever able to meet her.

At nine years old, J.R. moved with his mother to Hope, AK where he lived until he was 17. At 17, he moved to Dalton, GA, a place he proudly calls his hometown. During his senior year he played strong safety for the Dalton High School Catamounts when they went to Georgia’s State Championship. Playing professional football was his dream until he suffered an injury his senior year.

Acting career
On November 3, 2008, J.R. Martinez was cast in ABC’s Emmy(r) Award-winning daytime drama, "All My Children”, to play the role of Broughton "Brot" Monroe.

In story, the character Brot Monroe served in the U.S. Army in Iraq and was injured in combat. While serving, he fell in love with Lt. Taylor Thompson (Beth Ehlers). Due to the extent of his injuries, Brot made the decision to allow Taylor to believe he had died, not wanting to subject her to the reality of his injuries. The character’s injury was determined by Martinez’s personal injuries. After many surgeries and recovery, Brot returns to find his fiance has been grieving her loss, not knowing Brot is actually still alive. Martinez's first airdate on the program was on Friday, November 7, 2008.

“We are honored and delighted to welcome JR Martinez to the cast of “All My Children.” JR represents the best of the human spirit. His commitment to help his fellow service men and women and their families has inspired us all. JR’s challenging journey and resilience will bring a uniquely authentic perspective to the role of Brot Monroe” says executive producer Julie Hanan Carruthers.

Military career
J.R. enlisted in the United States Army in September 2002 and underwent Basic and Advanced Training at Fort Benning, Georgia where he gained skills as an 11-B Infantryman. After reporting to Fort Campbell in January of 2003 he was assigned to his unit 2/502 Delta Company.

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 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.

Role as National Spokesperson
After his recovery, Martinez 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. J.R. has been featured in The Washington Post, PEOPLE magazine , CNN , 60 Minutes and other major national news outlets.

While J.R.'s experience has certainly been life-changing, amazingly he 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.

The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes is a non-partisan 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to being the leading non-governmental provider of emergency financial relief to wounded soldiers from Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom and their families.