J.R. Martinez From 'DWTS' Helps Get New Home For Iraq Vet Who Underwent 75 Surgeries

Sgt. Joel Tavera has lost his eyesight, right leg and suffered burns on over 60 percent of his body, but he's feeling grateful. The Iraq vet moved into a donated 4,200-square-foot home equipped for his needs on Saturday.

"I'm human. I've faltered a few times, but there's always something that reminds me God is always with me. And lo and behold I got a home," Tavera, 23, told the Associated Press.

J.R. Martinez, a "Dancing With The Stars" finalist and injured Iraq vet, was the one who reached out to Building Homes for Heroes to help Tavera. Martinez also invited Tavera to cheer him on in the audience as he tries to claim the "DWTS" grand prize.

"Witnessing Sgt. Tavera's smile despite the circumstances inspires me to this day," Martinez wrote in a Globalgrind.com blog post, "and it can inspire you as well."

Tavera was severely injured back in 2008 when his Sports Utility Vehicle was struck by five rockets, Myfoxtampabay.com reports. Three of his comrades were killed and Tavera has undergone 75 surgeries. He still has a few more to go.

Tavera was awarded with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star and is ready to move into the house in Tampa that Building Homes for Heroes erected just for him, according to Baynews9.com.

"He's almost larger than life," Andy Pujol, a spokesperson for the organization told the news outlet. "He's a son to me and a son to a nation. I think if everyone in the world met him, the world would be a better place."

SLIDESHOW (WARNING: SOMEWHAT GRAPHIC PHOTOS)

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Comments

[devildog0311usmc]

08:03 PM on 12/22/2011

SEMPER FI TO THE SOLDIERS.

[lydatarz]

11:04 AM on 11/23/2011

75 surgeries? Hardly. It takes over 10 weeks alone to see your primary care provider. I had to wait two months for a hearing test, then another two for an additional test. The VA is SLOW in providing care to its service-connected disabled vets. 75 surgeries is an unbelievable number to have received, since it would have taken YEARS to receive only a couple!

[country girl15]

06:27 AM on 11/23/2011

Both of you are an inspiration to us all and True Heros. I thank you both with all my heart for Your Service and God bless you.

[Lisa1129]

06:12 PM on 11/22/2011

Hey JR even if you don`t win you will always be a champion
and a hero, i salute you soldier.

[Ami Munro]

05:27 PM on 11/22/2011

Whenever I think I'm having a bad day, these soldiers inspire me. My bad days are nothing compared to what they face. Bless them all.

[devildog0311usmc]

08:04 PM on 12/22/2011

I SECOND THAT.

[Susan Schmidt Baker]

03:55 PM on 11/22/2011

JR went through a lot himself. Now to reach out and help this guy, he is truly a wonderful human being. Not sure if he is the best dancer, but I sure hope he wins DWTS!

[Jaime Slim Goody Johnson]

09:07 AM on 11/22/2011

JR is a shoe in for winning DWTS tonight. I know that was not his intent. His giving back was about more than winning a competition. He knows what this young man is going through having experienced it himself. These are my Heroes. These are the people I show to my children as our true Leaders and Icons. Recipients of the Purple Heart aren't usually alive to get the Honor.

[lisaman]

09:12 AM on 11/22/2011

I hope you are right. His ankle injury has hurt his scores and I worry that spoiled child Robert will win.

[sanddc]

07:17 AM on 11/22/2011

Everytime I see an injured vets who went to war over a lie I said to myself----"-War what is it good for

for ,absolutely nothing? So true to this day.

[Shandra Brown Valyear]

07:55 AM on 11/22/2011

Loved that song and it resonates to many of us to this day! Perhaps we need to revive it! Edwin Starr sang it......right?

[terminalboredom]

08:05 AM on 11/22/2011

Yes! Here's a link to an original video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01-2pNCZiNk

[devildog0311usmc]

08:04 PM on 12/22/2011

I AGREE, IRAQ WAS BUSH PERSONAL WAR.

[Edward Standley]

06:10 AM on 11/22/2011

Just a reminder, you bump into good people every day. We outnumber the weasels by a wide margin.

[jaredbrain]

03:42 AM on 11/22/2011

and so we are reminded...

[Me Now]

03:19 AM on 11/22/2011

Isn't it ashame that he our Government didn't provide for his needs? Of course that might mean the 400 who earn more than 150 million combined have to pay their fair share of tax. And the GOP would rather our vets suffer than do that. This man is a TRUE HERO, all Iraq vets should be tax exempt for life, let the 1% pick up their tab.

[lindaj3884]

03:03 AM on 11/22/2011

God bless you Joel and you as well JR. You both are an inspiration to America. Thank you for your service and the best to both of you.

[JuanJeremy]

02:44 AM on 11/22/2011

they should try and convict all the politicians who sent these desperate people into these obscene wars and turned these folks into freak shows. its sad that americans are so easily fooled into supporting wars with phony calls to patriotism. the worst patriots in the world are the politicians like bush and cheney who do this to the people of this country

[devildog0311usmc]

08:06 PM on 12/22/2011

JUAN---I DID NOT BUY BUSH EXCUSES FOR GOING TO WAR, BUT MOST DID.

[TheHandyman]

02:30 AM on 11/22/2011

This folks is the true heart of this country. An injured Iraq veteran giving to another even more injured veteran while the filthy rich get filthier off of these guys lives and give them nothing in return, the rich old white guys in Congress want to give these guy less care, and people who aspire to be President want to do away with the VA and give them vouchers for health insurance. As a crewchief on a Huey in Vietnam who got shot at everyday putting people in and taking them out of harms way I can tell you that if the rest of this country had the same attitude as these two guys we wouldn't be in the sewers like we are. Time to make the filthy rich and their Congressional lapdogs toe the line! Also time for that goofball in the White House to bring them all home and stop getting them killed and maimed for no good reason!

[JuanJeremy]

02:46 AM on 11/22/2011

damm right about that, but lets try the "goofballs" that started these wars as well. they are even more culpable. obama is ended this nonsense which is more than can be said for any republican

[myviewsofnow]

08:29 AM on 11/22/2011

F&F I would say more but I'm speechless

[ReignSupreme]

02:26 AM on 11/22/2011

I'll be praying for you that you never run into me on the streets.

[lindaj3884]

03:05 AM on 11/22/2011

Flagged. You are disgusting and probably a heartless Republicon.