J.R. Martinez To Speak at PNGAS Conference
Actor, Veteran, Winner of ABCs Dancing with the Stars season 13,
New York Times Best Selling Author of
“Full of Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength, and Spirit”
(Lancaster, PA) – August 20, 2019 – PNGAS, the Pennsylvania National Guard Associations, is pleased to announce J.R. Martinez will be the Keynote Speaker at the 2019 Annual PNGAS Conference at Lancaster Convention Center, in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania on November 08-09, 2019. With an expected gathering approaching 600 guests, Martinez will speak on Saturday evening at the Annual Banquet.
Born June 14, 1983 in Shreveport, Louisiana, at nine years old, Jose Rene Martinez moved with his mother to Hope, Arkansas. After high school in September 2002, J.R. joined the Army and in 2003, he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division.
In March of 2003, J.R. was deployed to Iraq. On April 5, he was driving a Humvee in Karbala when his front left tire hit a roadside bomb. The three other soldiers were ejected from the burning vehicle, but J.R. was trapped inside. He suffered smoke inhalation and severe burns to 34 percent of his body.
He spent 34 months in recovery at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC/SAMC) in San Antonio, Texas. He has undergone 34 different surgeries since his injury.
Since then, he’s traveled the world as a motivational speaker. J.R. has had the privilege of speaking with troops at various bases around the world, as well as serving as the keynote speaker for Delta, Wells Fargo, Verizon, State Farm, General Motors, Red Cross and numerous other Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits and universities. His story may be unique, but his message is universal; change isn't bad if you are willing to adapt. Your path in life is decided by your own ability to Adapt & Overcome?.
Many may remember J.R. as “Brot Monroe,” a combat veteran who was injured in Iraq and returned home to face the new challenges of reintegrating to civilian life, on the Emmy Award winning ABC Daytime drama All My Children.
After All My Children ran its final season in 2011, J.R. went on to surprise and inspire a nation as a contestant on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. Along with partner Karina Smirnoff, J.R. won the coveted mirror ball trophy, and they were named season 13 champions.
Later J.R. co-starred on the syndicated action series, SAF3 (CW Network). He also guest starred in the season 6 finale of Lifetime’s Army Wives.
J.R has been featured on many shows, such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, 60 Minutes, Ellen, The View, The Tonight Show, Good Morning America, CBS Nightly News, CNN, Fox News, HLN, and Univision. He narrated the CNN documentary series In America: Vets Wanted? He’s served as a guest host on The View and ultimately hosted his own radio show, The J.R. Martinez Show, on KFI AM 640 in Los Angeles.
He has also been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, New York Times, US Veterans Magazine, and was featured on the cover of People Magazine, and in their annual “Sexiest Man Alive” issue, and was also named one of their “Most Intriguing People” of 2011.
J.R. is the author of the New York Times best-selling book Full of Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength, and Spirit, a memoir about how he was able to take his own personal tragedy and turn it into an inspiration for others.
As a firm believer in giving back, his dedication to the nonprofit world is something about which he is very passionate. J.R. serves as an ambassador for Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, Glasswing International, No Barriers, and Debra of America.
J.R. currently resides in Austin, TX with his wife, daughter and their black Labrador retriever, Romeo.
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We are PNGAS, the Pennsylvania National Guard Associations, the only organization exclusively advocating for the 19,438 members and 67,500 veterans of the Pennsylvania National Guard and their families. We are very pleased to release details and registration options for the 2019 PNGAS Annual Conference at the fabulous Lancaster Convention Center and Marriott Hotel.
GUESTS: Register Here: https://pngas2019.eventbrite.com
ALERT: For members and veterans of the Pennsylvania National Guard and their families. There an Early Bird Special for couples and singles that includes FREE Hotel Room for TWO Nights that Expires August 31, 2019. Act Quickly to Get this Special Rate for Guests –
Guests Register Here: https://pngas2019.eventbrite.com
Early Bird Specials Expire on August 31, 2019!
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Sponsors and Booth Exhibitors: Register Here. https://pngas2019exhibitor.eventbrite.com.
Cadet Day Register Here: https://pngas2019cadetday.eventbrite.com
Educator Day Register Here: https://pngas2019educationday.eventbrite.com
“The PNGAS conference is an excellent forum for Soldiers, Airmen, Veterans and their families to gather, learn updates, share stories, celebrate, congratulate, and network,” said Kathleen Fabrizi, Executive Director-PNGAS. “We have activities for families, baby-sitting, and tours, as well as fun and interesting activities for couples and singles. We’re all one big, important family and the PNGAS conference is designed to lift all spirits and bring everyone together.”
Your investment in PNGAS is helping PNGAS deliver strong results; including its supporting role in the enactment of (1) first-in-nation, Military Family Education Program (MFEP), a new $40,000 tuition benefit for spouses and children of Guard members that re-enlist for a 2nd six-year enlistment, (2) enhancements to the $13.265 Million Education Assistance Program (EAP), (3) multi-state reciprocity law for professional licenses, (4) pay equity for senior officers, and (5) $1 million funding for the Keystone Youth Challenge Academy, as well as its lead role in launching the (6) PNGAS Gifts4GuardKids program, (7) PNGAS Guard-Friendly Schools designation; and, (8) PNGAS Jobs Board where we hope you consider posting job openings. https://pngas.jobboardhq.com/.
On behalf of our members, veterans, families and volunteers, we thank you!
Kathleen Fabrizi
Executive Director
PNGAS and Pennsylvania National Guard Foundation
Biddle Hall Building, 9-109 Fort Indiantown Gap
Annville, PA 17003-5002
Mobile; 215-514-5947, Email: [email protected]