Iraq War veteran J.R. Martinez danced an emotional tribute to military widows last night on Dancing with the Stars - a tribute so moving that it that inspired a standing ovation. Martinez and his partner Karina Smirnoff danced a rumba to Tim McGraw's "If You're Reading This."
Martinez's dance was just part of his soul-baring performance on DWTS. It was "personal week" on the show, where contestants share their personal stories. Martinez told viewers about how he received the burns that cover 40 percent of his body. (Martinez's Humvee hit a landmine in Iraq in 2003, causing the vehicle to burst into flames.)
Martinez told Entertainment Weekly:
“It was a touchy night. It was really emotional. Karina was telling me in order to get to really that place that we wanted to get to and pay the tribute and honor the men and women and their families the way [we wanted to], I needed to be an open book tonight. I needed to be willing to go to that place and tap into that time in my life when it wasn’t all pictures and fame and everyone caring, and I felt so alone.”
I've posted the video of Martinez and Smirnoff's dance, courtesy of ABC. Just letting you know, you might want to get the tissues handy:
