Defense Secretary Invites Dancing Champ J.R. Martinez To The Pentagon

First Published: November 25, 2011 3:55 PM EST Credit: Getty Images WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Caption J.R. Martinez from the cast of Dancing With The Stars proudly shows off his trophy on the set of Good Morning America in NY City on November 23, 2011 Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has invited soldier-turned-actor J.R. Martinez, winner of this seasons Dancing with the Stars competition, to meet him at the Pentagon. During a 10-minute telephone call Friday, Panetta told the dance champion he demonstrated the strength and resilience of wounded veterans, Pentagon spokesman Capt. John Kirby said. Martinez credited his military training for his performance on the ABC show, Kirby said. Martinez and professional partner Karina Smirnoff bested fellow finalists Rob Kardashian and Ricki Lake in the finale broadcast Tuesday. Martinez, 28, was severely burned over more than 40 percent of his body when the Humvee he was driving for the U.S. Army in Iraq struck a land mine in 2003. After dozens of operations during a nearly three-year recovery, Martinez became a motivational speaker and in 2008 won a role on the now-retired ABC soap opera All My Children. Details of Panettas meeting with Martinez are being worked out. Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.