Leavenworth, KS (Vocus) August 10, 2010
J. R. Martinezstar of ABCs Emmy Award-winning daytime drama All My Children and wounded warriorhas signed on to be the spokesperson of Rehabbing with the Troops, a virtual rehabilitation program sponsored by Armed Forces Insurance in which warriors wounded in combat work out via webcam with professional athletes using a Nintendo Wii.
J. R. is an Army veteran and was severely injured in combat, so he knows exactly what these wounded warriors are going through, said Col. Tom Dials (U.S. Army, Ret.), chairman of Armed Forces Insurance. He fought hard to recover and went on to accomplish amazing thingswere proud hes decided to join the program.
In 2003, Martinez suffered severe burns to more than 40 percent of his body while serving as an infantryman in Iraq. After a long and difficult recovery, he now travels all over the United States serving as a motivational speaker, sharing a message of resilience and optimism in the face of enormous challenges to veterans groups, schools, corporations and other organizations. Since late 2008, Martinez has played the role of Brot Monroe in ABCs All My Children.
This program is so importantit raises awareness of the challenges facing wounded warriors while giving each participant a source of motivation and a goal to work toward, Martinez said. Im honored to be involved in it.
Martinez will work out with the Season One wounded warriors and speak at the luncheon at the programs finale event in New Orleans on August 21, where the troops will receive awards and view the New Orleans Saints pre-season home opening game at the Louisiana Superdome.
Rehabbing with the TroopsNFL Pros Help Wounded Warriors Recover
Since June 10, 22 wounded warriors have participated in weekly workouts as part of Season One of Rehabbing with the Troops, a 10-week rehabilitation program that was developed by Pro vs. G.I. Joe in partnership with the United Services Organizations (USO) and Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) and sponsored by Armed Forces Insurance (AFI, http://www.afi.org).
Season One of the program kicked off June 10, when the warriors traveled to the Wounded Warrior Projects TRACK facility in Jacksonville, Fla., to work out interactively with the New Orleans Saints live via webcam. Wounded warriors and New Orleans Saints team members gathered in front of flat-screen televisions provided by Best Buy to perform exercises using a Nintendo Wii and webcam. Pro vs. GI Joe partnered with Wounded Warrior Project to develop custom workouts using specific exercises within the EA Sports Active title.
During Season One, each wounded warrior has participated in multiple rehabilitation sessions per week at home while documenting his journey on the Wounded Warrior Arena website (http://www.woundedwarriorarena.org), Twitter and Facebook. Season One is being filmed by two Iraq military journalist veterans, who will create a documentary series and upload it to the Wounded Warrior Arena website at the conclusion of Season One. The documentary is produced by Thomas Bramble, creator and producer of Pentagon TV program Freestyle Iraq.
About Armed Forces Insurance
AFI was founded in 1887 by military leaders with a single mission: to protect the property of those who protect our nation. The company provides premium quality, competitively priced property and casualty insurance to active duty, former and retired military as well as active and retired Department of Defense employees throughout the United States and overseas. Headquartered in Leavenworth, Kansas, AFI understands that its subscribers have unique circumstances and insurance needs, enabling the company to offer a level of personalized service thats unequaled in the industry. For more information, visit http://www.afi.org or call 1-800-495-8234.
About Pro vs. G.I. Joe
Headquartered in Fairfax, Va., Pro vs. GI Joe is a nonprofit organization that provides troops serving all over the world with opportunities to take on professional athletes or celebrities in head-to-head video game competitions, both online and in person. The organization uses the best of today's modern technologyincluding webcams, PlayStation, Xbox Live and the Nintendo Wiito make virtual connections across the miles. By reuniting family members of the participating troops via webcam during the event, Pro vs. G.I. Joe also connects families separated by military service. For more information, visit http://www.prosvsgijoes.org.
About Wounded Warrior Project
The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Its purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the publics aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured men and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. To get involved and learn more, visit http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
About the USO
The USO (United Service Organizations) is a private, nonprofit organization that lifts the spirits of Americas troops and their families. The USO provides a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases around the world, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services tailored to meet troop needs. The organization also provides critical support to those who need it most, including forward-deployed troops and their families, wounded warriors and their families, and the families of the fallen. Relying on the generosity of individual donors and corporate sponsors, the USO strives to deliver maximum benefit for troops and their families from every donor dollar. For more information, please visit http://www.uso.org.
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