Iraq Veteran Now Soap Opera Star

Normally I'm hesitant to mention anything from Hollywood that has to do with veterans since the normal storyline out there is that somehow veterans are victims.

I don't watch soap operas since I do have a day job, so I really have no way to know how the story line is playing out or how the character is being portrayed; this is merely a post to recognize a local veteran, from Dalton, GA, who, like so many others, is showing Americans to quit being victims and get on with their lives.

Today, as the U.S. honors millions of military veterans, Martinez’s personal drama is playing out on national television. A character he plays is at the center of the soap opera “All My Children,” whose Veterans Day storyline is exposing millions of viewers to the effects of war.

Last summer, the ABC daytime drama’s executive producer decided to add weight to the soldiers’ storyline by casting a real-life vet in a recurring role. The show hired Martinez, who has toured the country as a motivational speaker.

He plays Brot Monroe, who, like Martinez, was injured in the line of duty. Currently, the ABC soap opera is telling the story of Iraq veteran Lt. Taylor Thompson (Beth Ehlers) who is grieving for Monroe, her fiance. She wrongly believes he was killed in action.

Because he was disfigured in the accident, the soldier, in grand soap opera tradition, is letting his bride-to-be believe he’s dead.

In today's environment of economic problems, a unresponsive federal government, and too many folks standing around with a tin cup waiting on big daddy government to give them something, it is always encouraging to see yet again that the members of this Greatest Generation are once again showing the way.

If only Americans would pay more attention to the stories of these veterans. Not the ones who make the headlines spinning preposterous stories of depravity and atrocities, but rather those who--while they may have been dealt some bad cards--instead of folding, they go all in.

Congratulations to Mr. Martinez and only wish the best for him in the future, and I encourage everybody today, this Veteran's Day, to take the time to ponder what this newest Greatest Generation is giving you.

It is not Victim's Day.