J.R. Martinez To Visit Pentagon

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has invited soldier-turned-actor J.R. Martinez, winner of this season’s “Dancing with the Stars” competition, to meet him at the Pentagon. During a call Friday, Panetta told Martinez he demonstrated the strength and resilience of wounded veterans. Martinez credited his military training for his performance on the ABC show. Martinez and professional partner Karina Smirnoff bested fellow finalists Rob Kardashian and Ricki Lake in the finale last Tuesday. Martinez, 28, was severely burned over more than 40% of his body when the Humvee he was driving in Iraq struck a land mine in 2003. After dozens of operations over a three-year recovery, Martinez became a motivational speaker and in 2008 won a role on the now-retired ABC soap opera “All My Children.”