Ride For Americas Patriots

It's not too late -- you can still donate!
Read today's blog | RideCam LIVE! | Greet a wounded hero | Donate online

Saluting J.R.

In April 2003, J.R. Martinez suffered severe burns when the Humvee he was driving hit a landmine in Iraq. While undergoing more than 30 surgeries at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, he could have given up – instead, he started giving hope to others.

“I realized I could lift people’s spirits – I could take what’s happened to me and use it to help them,” he says.

Here’s what J.R. has to say about overcoming circumstances:

“You gotta look outside of the box and realize everything doesn’t revolve around you. I looked outside the box and realized I wasn’t the only one going through this level of tragedy – some were suffering with the same or worse things. So here’s the message I pass on to others: You’re not the only one. Reach out to someone else, and in the end you help yourself as well.”

JR's military portrait

JR at a recent conference

Here’s his thought on the Ride for America’s Patriots:

"I appreciate these guys reaching out -- taking their passion and using it to help someone. You can be part of this ride ... make a difference for wounded patriots and their families. These veterans made a sacrifice for you -- please sacrifice a little for them."

JR with Tom Donegan, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Premier, and fellow motorcycle rider Bob Loy (back row) at a Veteran's Day event in Norfolk, VA. Donegan and Loy attended the event to present JR with the first contribution for The Ride for America's Patriots. The trio are shown with wounded veteran Eric Simpson and his parents.

Hosted by NITF.com a division of Special Systems, Inc.