J.R. Martinez wins praise for ‘Dancing With the Stars’ win from Defense Secretary Leon Panetta

Iraq War vet cited for his 'strength and resilence'

BY CRISTINA EVERETT 
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Steven Lawton/FilmMagic

J.R. Martinez, an Iraq War veteran, credited his military training for his ability to perform on ‘Dancing With the Stars.’

J.R. Martinez got more than just a mirror-ball trophy after winning “Dancing With the Stars.”

The Iraq War veteran received a phone call and congratulatory letter from Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Friday, according to the Department of Defense.

“Over the course of this competition, your spirit captivated the nation and your victory sends a powerful message about the strength and resilience of our wounded warriors,” Panetta wrote to Martinez.

“In the eight years since your injury ... you have done extraordinary work assisting other wounded warriors and raising public awareness of the challenges our service members and their families face when they return home, and I would like to commend you for your tireless efforts in this arena.”

Panetta credited Martinez’s military training and experience for his ability to prepare and perform in the show, Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. John Kirby said.

Martinez, 28, and his professional partner, Karina Smirnoff, beat out fellow finalists Rob Kardashian and Ricki Lake in the finale broadcast.

During the 10-minute phone conversation, Panetta also invited Martinez to the Pentagon. Plans are currently in the works for a future meeting.

Martinez suffered burns to more than 40% of his body after the Humvee he was driving for the U.S. Army in Iraq struck a land mine in 2003. He underwent more than 30 surgeries during a nearly three-year recovery, and became a motivational speaker. In 2008, he began acting on the now-retired ABC soap opera "All My Children."

Source: http://www.nydailynews.com