J.R. Martinez was just 19 years old when he joined the U.S. Army and was deployed to Iraq. He was there less than two months when the Humvee he was driving ran over an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), leaving him with burns over 40 percent of body.
“There was definitely a period,” said Martinez, an interview with The State Journal-Register prior to a Veterans Day talk at the University of Illinois Springfield Student Union on Monday, “where I felt and thought (that this is over for me). There wasn’t necessarily anything else for me to hold onto.
“There was no face, there was no example of someone who had overcome (something like this), at least as I was able to see.”
It wasn’t until his mother, Maria Zavala — with whom he would watch Mexican telenovelas and proclaim to her that he would star in such shows — “laid into me” that Martinez set about picking up the pieces of his life.
“She just said, ‘You have to find a way to be positive, believe something good will happen and have a little bit of faith,’” Martinez recalled. “That stuck with me. It was a small step that led me to where I am today.”
Martinez did, in fact, go on to star in ABC’s “All My Children,” whose character was also a wounded combat veteran. He also teamed up with Karina Smirnoff to win the Mirror Ball Trophy on “Dancing With the Stars.”
This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on November 11, 2019.
Read the entire article online.
Showing posts with label Veterans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Veterans. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Army vet, ‘DWTS’ winner J.R. Martinez to speak at UIS
A University of Illinois Springfield spokesman said the school has been trying to “up its game” regarding its Veterans Day events.
Wounded U.S. Army veteran J.R. Martinez, who has carved out a career as an actor, author and speaker, will speak at a public event at the UIS Student Union Ballroom at 6 p.m. on Nov. 11.
Earlier that day, there will be a flag-raising ceremony in front of the Public Affairs Center.
Martinez’s message, said Mark Dochterman, assistant vice chancellor for student engagement, will focus on overcoming adversity and facing life’s challenges. “That’s a message that certainly applies to our student veterans,” Dochterman said, adding that UIS has 275 “military-connected” students and about 50 faculty and staff members who are veterans.
In 2003, Martinez, then 19 years old, was providing an escort to a convoy in Karbala, Iraq, when his Humvee ran over a roadside bomb. Martinez was trapped inside the vehicle when it was engulfed in flames. He sustained burns over 34 percent of his body as well as smoke inhalation.
His story is recounted in the 2012 memoir “Full of My Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength and Spirit.”
At the Veterans Day event, Dochterman said, a new UIS Veterans Emergency Grant will be launched. It will help student veterans cover bills, food, medical expenses and travel in emergency situations.
This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on October 23, 2019.
Read the entire article online.
Wounded U.S. Army veteran J.R. Martinez, who has carved out a career as an actor, author and speaker, will speak at a public event at the UIS Student Union Ballroom at 6 p.m. on Nov. 11.
Earlier that day, there will be a flag-raising ceremony in front of the Public Affairs Center.
Martinez’s message, said Mark Dochterman, assistant vice chancellor for student engagement, will focus on overcoming adversity and facing life’s challenges. “That’s a message that certainly applies to our student veterans,” Dochterman said, adding that UIS has 275 “military-connected” students and about 50 faculty and staff members who are veterans.
In 2003, Martinez, then 19 years old, was providing an escort to a convoy in Karbala, Iraq, when his Humvee ran over a roadside bomb. Martinez was trapped inside the vehicle when it was engulfed in flames. He sustained burns over 34 percent of his body as well as smoke inhalation.
His story is recounted in the 2012 memoir “Full of My Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength and Spirit.”
At the Veterans Day event, Dochterman said, a new UIS Veterans Emergency Grant will be launched. It will help student veterans cover bills, food, medical expenses and travel in emergency situations.
This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on October 23, 2019.
Read the entire article online.
Monday, April 9, 2018
Second annual Food Ruck 3K benefits charities
The 2nd Annual Food Ruck 3K is a fun run but also benefits two charity organizations in Springfield.
Both veterans and students at the University of Illinois Springfield took on a cross county course while carrying a backpack full of canned goods and toiletries.
The event is put on by the military and veterans club at UIS. Organizers said at the end of the day it's about one thing, bringing people together.
UIS Military and Veterans Club leader Ashti Dawson said. “It's just a really great opportunity to support the community."
The money raised and donated items will go to the Central Illinois Foodbank and the Fifth Street Renaissance.
This story aired on WICS Newschannel 20 on April 7, 2018.
Read the story online.
Both veterans and students at the University of Illinois Springfield took on a cross county course while carrying a backpack full of canned goods and toiletries.
The event is put on by the military and veterans club at UIS. Organizers said at the end of the day it's about one thing, bringing people together.
UIS Military and Veterans Club leader Ashti Dawson said. “It's just a really great opportunity to support the community."
The money raised and donated items will go to the Central Illinois Foodbank and the Fifth Street Renaissance.
This story aired on WICS Newschannel 20 on April 7, 2018.
Read the story online.
Monday, November 13, 2017
UIS holds special flag raising ceremony
In observance of Veterans Day, the University of Illinois Springfield held a special flag raising ceremony on campus.
UIS Chancellor Susan Koch and other leaders were honored with the ESQR Seven Seals Award for their work in supporting military veterans.
Over the past year, the university has reduced fees for students who participate in military benefits.
They've also created a Student Veterans Advisory Committee. Leaders of the Illinois National Guard and employees at Camp Lincoln spoke about the importance of supporting our military men and women.
"We take the weekend, not just the day, the weekend and beyond to continue to recognize and support our veterans and service members," said Major Loren Easter with the Illinois ESQR Committee.
Right now there are more than 300 students attending UIS that are in the military or have veterans' status.
This story appeared on WICS Newschannel 20 on November 10, 2017.
Read the entire story online.
UIS Chancellor Susan Koch and other leaders were honored with the ESQR Seven Seals Award for their work in supporting military veterans.
Over the past year, the university has reduced fees for students who participate in military benefits.
They've also created a Student Veterans Advisory Committee. Leaders of the Illinois National Guard and employees at Camp Lincoln spoke about the importance of supporting our military men and women.
"We take the weekend, not just the day, the weekend and beyond to continue to recognize and support our veterans and service members," said Major Loren Easter with the Illinois ESQR Committee.
Right now there are more than 300 students attending UIS that are in the military or have veterans' status.
This story appeared on WICS Newschannel 20 on November 10, 2017.
Read the entire story online.
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
More Veterans Day events
The University of Illinois Springfield will hold a Veterans Day flag raising ceremony at 9 a.m. Friday in front of the Public Affairs Center.
Major Loren Easter, Illinois Army National Guard, Camp Lincoln will provide an address in the Sangamon Auditorium lobby directly following the raising of the flag.
The U.S. Dept. of Defense and Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) will have a Patriot Award presentation.
This article appeared in The State Journal-Register on November 6, 2017.
Read the entire article online.
Major Loren Easter, Illinois Army National Guard, Camp Lincoln will provide an address in the Sangamon Auditorium lobby directly following the raising of the flag.
The U.S. Dept. of Defense and Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) will have a Patriot Award presentation.
This article appeared in The State Journal-Register on November 6, 2017.
Read the entire article online.
Monday, April 10, 2017
UIS demonstrates ruck march for Central Illinois Food Bank
Saturday, the Military and Veterans Club at the University of Illinois Springfield held a military inspired ruck march to bring more awareness to student veterans.
Participants were asked to carry their donations in backpacks as they would in the military, then take on the UIS Cross Country Course, before dropping off their donations at the end for the Central Illinois Food Bank.
The club has plans to hold more food ruck drives down the road and want to make it bigger and better each year.
This story aired in WICS Newschannel 20 on April 8, 2017.
Watch the story online.
Participants were asked to carry their donations in backpacks as they would in the military, then take on the UIS Cross Country Course, before dropping off their donations at the end for the Central Illinois Food Bank.
The club has plans to hold more food ruck drives down the road and want to make it bigger and better each year.
This story aired in WICS Newschannel 20 on April 8, 2017.
Watch the story online.
Monday, November 14, 2016
Governor Rauner, UIS students donate time and service to new veteran's home on Friday
Governor Bruce Rauner and others contributed community service to veterans on Friday in Springfield.
The governor, along with the Salvation Army and members of the University of Illinois-Springfield soccer team volunteered at "Our Home" which is a place for veterans.
Friday's efforts marked the first official day of the state's new "Serving Those Who Served" campaign put on by the state's Department of Veteran's Affairs.
The governor told those in attendance that volunteering time and service to veterans is something the people of Illinois should do year round not just one day a year.
This story appeared on WAND on Friday, November 11, 2016.
Watch the story online.
The governor, along with the Salvation Army and members of the University of Illinois-Springfield soccer team volunteered at "Our Home" which is a place for veterans.
Friday's efforts marked the first official day of the state's new "Serving Those Who Served" campaign put on by the state's Department of Veteran's Affairs.
The governor told those in attendance that volunteering time and service to veterans is something the people of Illinois should do year round not just one day a year.
This story appeared on WAND on Friday, November 11, 2016.
Watch the story online.
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