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November 3, 2008

J.R. Martinez to star in soap opera

J.R. Martinez, the 2002 Dalton High School graduate who was injured while serving in Iraq in 2003, has been cast on ABC’s “All My Children” soap opera following a nationwide search, with his first air date set for Friday.

“We are honored and delighted to welcome J.R. Martinez to the cast of ‘All My Children,’” said executive producer Julie Hanan Carruthers in a press release. “J.R. represents the best of the human spirit. His commitment to help his fellow service men and women and their families has inspired us all. J.R.’s challenging journey and resilience will bring a uniquely authentic perspective to the role of Brot Monroe.”

Martinez is a national spokesman for the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, a nonprofit group that helps severely wounded and disabled veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. He suffered burns over 35 percent of his body when the truck he was driving ran over a land mine as it crossed into Iraq. Martinez noted in an article earlier this year in People magazine that he has had 32 operations.

Martinez will portray the character of Monroe, who served in the U.S. Army in Iraq and was injured in combat. While there, he fell in love with Lt. Taylor Thompson (played by Beth Ehlers). But because of his injuries, he decided to allow Thompson to believe he had died.

“The character’s injury was determined by Mr. Martinez’ personal injuries,” ABC said in the press release. “After many surgeries and recovery, Brot returns to find his fiancee, who has been grieving her loss, not knowing Brot is actually still alive.”

On Thursday, the show will air a special episode featuring other “real life” Iraq war veterans in a series of unscripted support group scenes. Each veteran will share his or her story. The show partners with USA Cares, an organization founded to support post 9/11 veterans and their families, which serves as a resource for story line research and guidance.

ABC announced in August that the show was holding a nationwide search for an Iraqi War veteran to play a new role.

“All My Children” is produced in New York and airs Monday through Friday from 1 to 2 p.m. For more information, visit abc.com.

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