Iraq war veteran JR Martinez, who was cast in a recurring role on All My Children, was part of the inspiration for the current storyline that the soap opera is running.  Martinez plays Brot Monroe on the show, and is hoping to continue encouraging other veterans for their efforts. 

Recently on All My Children, Lt. Taylor Thompson (Beth Ehlers) has been grieving for the loss of her fiancée, Monroe.  She wrongly believes that he was killed in the line of duty, just like Martinez was in reality.  But the soldier, disfigured from the accident, was only letting the bride-to-be think he's dead. 

It was last summer that the ABC daytime drama's executives decided to haul in the real-life veteran for the role of Brot.  Martinez has toured the country as a motivational speaker, and he was thrilled when he was asked to work for All My Children.  He even credits his hometown of Dalton for changing his perspective on his injury. 

In 2003, the Humvee that Martinez was driving struck a land mine while he was stuck inside.  It was only two months into his tour of Iraq, and already over 40 percent of his body was burned. 

“When I was injured,” explained Martinez. "I was unsure how society would accept me.  I will never forget my homecoming.  People were lined up on both sides of the street.  Those people didn't care what I looked like.  They were just happy to see me.  Dalton and Georgia gave that to me.  I'll never forget it.”

It was this experience that led to Martinez's ground-breaking role on AMC, and which is why he continues to push to inspire other veterans and create public awareness.  He's definitely doing a great job in helping out injured soldiers deal with their problems as they return home. 

Fans of AMC might recall that Erica Kane's first love, Phil Brent, also became part of a soldier storyline.  He was drafted into the Vietnam War and was later presumed dead.  The soap's creator, Agnes Nixon, risked writing very real conflicts into the series, which paid off.  Nixon also talked to Martinez about his role, filling him in on the show's history. 

“She explained what a risk it was to do stories about Vietnam on daytime back then,” said Martinez.  “After I spoke with her, I realized the opportunity we have to affect things with this story.  It's amazing to be a part of this.  I'm so proud.  If I can be a voice for wounded veterans and their families, that's great.  I feel like I'm ready.”

Martinez isn't easily going to give up on his mission.  He's learned from the accident, and will keep on going for those who matter to him most.  “No matter how dark your life is, you must have hope,” Martinez added.  “You have to learn to look beyond the mirror.”


-Maria Gonzalez, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
(Image Courtesy of ABC)