The Pasadena Tournament of Roses® announced on November 1, 2011 that J.R. Martinez , retired soldier, actor and spokesman, would be the Grand Marshal of the 2012 Tournament of Roses festivities.
In September 2002, Martinez underwent Basic and Advanced Training at Fort Benning, Ga., where he gained skills as an 11-B Infantryman. After reporting to Fort Campbell, Ky. in January 2003, he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division.
J.R. Martinez was deployed to Iraq in March 2003, and on Apr. 5, 2003, less than a month into his deployment, he was serving as a driver of a Humvee in Karbala when his left front tire hit a land-mine. Three other soldiers with Martinez were ejected from the burning vehicle, but Martinez was trapped inside. He suffered smoke inhalation and severe burns to 40 percent of his body. Martinez spent 34 months in recovery at BAMC and underwent 33 different surgeries including skin grafts and cosmetic surgery.
During his time in recovery, a nurse asked Martinez to speak to a burn patient who had become withdrawn after seeing his body for the first time post-injury. After Martinez’ 45-minute visit, the patient began to open up. Seeing the impact a simple visit had on this patient, Martinez 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, Martinez has become a highly sought-after motivational speaker, traveling the country to spread his message of resilience and optimism.
In October 2008, Martinez stepped into another role, when he was cast as combat veteran Brot Monroe on ABC¿s Emmy Award-winning daytime drama “All My Children.” Today, Martinez also balances his schedule with his speaking engagements, along with his extensive charity work with Operation Finally Home, Phoenix Society, USO, Iraq Star and IAVA to name a few.
