J.R. Martinez returns to Fort Campbell Full of Heart

‘Full of Heart’: Martinez returns to post to promote new book
Posted: Thursday, November 15, 2012
by Yvette Smith, Courier staff

Before appearing on the world stage, J.R. Martinez served his country as a 101st Airborne Division Screaming Eagle. Although he is now known by many as the season 13 winner of “Dancing with the Stars”, as well as for his roles on “All My Children” and “Army Wives,” he has not forgotten his roots.

Promoting his new memoir, “Full of Heart,” Martinez took time to visit Fort Campbell and sign copies of his book while chatting with those who waited patiently Friday at the Fort Campbell Exchange.

“It’s great to be back,” said a smiling Martinez. “This is a special place in my heart. It’s nice to have the opportunity to be embraced and to be able to share with some of the troops and Families [at] a post that does so much for its country.”

With some waiting in line for more than three hours, the crowd gathered at the Exchange anxiously awaited a chance to meet Martinez. A group of Fort Campbell High School seniors were especially excited.

“We want to ask him to be our senior speaker at graduation,” said FCHS senior Charlie Cusic. “A lot of parents are being deployed this year. Like my dad, he’s not going to be at my graduation. We want to have somebody that knows what it’s like to serve in the military and all the hardships that come with it.”

Family member Miranda Poole said the book brought her out to the signing. “I don’t really watch ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ I started looking into his story and stuff, and my husband is deployed, so his story … it’s heartfelt.“
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