Overview of Medal of Honor — "Showing Up On Veterans Day"
This special Veterans Day episode of Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage (Pushkin Industries) features host J.R. Martinez in conversation with producer Ryan Swikert. Martinez reflects on his own journey from enlisting after 9/11 to being wounded in Iraq, and uses that experience to encourage civilians to engage veterans beyond a simple "thank you" — listen, let them dictate the conversation, and “just show up.” The episode also previews the podcast’s next season (premiering May 2026) and asks listeners to take a survey to help shape future episodes.
Key takeaways
- Let veterans lead the conversation. Start with appreciation, then ask open, gentle questions and let the veteran decide how much to share: “Let them tell you. Let them dictate.”
- Showing up matters. Martinez emphasizes that presence and small acts of service (visiting, listening) restore purpose and identity after trauma: “All I needed to do was just show up.”
- Recovery and identity are ongoing. After his injury and medical discharge, Martinez lost military and civilian identities, found purpose again by visiting patients, and rebuilt community through vulnerability and service.
- Ordinary people can perform extraordinary acts. The Medal of Honor stories highlight that heroism often comes from everyday people who show up and figure things out in a crisis — not superhuman beings.
- Storytelling has power. Sharing veterans’ experiences helps civilians understand who veterans are, reduces isolation, and encourages veterans to seek help and healing: “You fought for yourself… you deserve to live, you deserve to heal.”
Notable moments & quotes
- On how civilians should approach veterans: “Let them tell you. Let them dictate. You’ll know immediately if this individual wants to talk.”
- Recounting his injury (April 5, 2003, in Karbala, Iraq): trapped in a burning Humvee, third-degree burns, inhalation injury, medevac and three-week medically induced coma — and the mental practice he uses when overwhelmed: connect with breath and thoughts, then ask for help.
- On rediscovering purpose: “All I needed to do was just show up.” Visiting other patients helped Martinez regain a sense of service and identity.
- On the broader lesson of Medal of Honor stories: “We all have this [capacity]. We really do.”
Topics discussed
- J.R. Martinez’s personal story: enlistment after 9/11, combat deployment, Humvee IED, injuries, recovery, medical discharge, and re-finding purpose.
- How to engage veterans respectfully on Veterans Day and beyond.
- The role of storytelling in honoring veterans and reducing isolation.
- Examples from previous seasons of Medal of Honor showing that heroism often stems from simply showing up.
- Martinez’s public platform: winning Dancing with the Stars and using mainstream moments to highlight veteran stories.
- Practical encouragement to veterans: accept support, be vulnerable, and continue to show up for others.
Action items for listeners
- If you’re a civilian: on Veterans Day (and anytime), lead with thanks, then ask simple questions if the veteran seems open — e.g., “Where did you serve?” or “Would you mind telling me about your service?”
- If you’re a veteran: consider reaching out to someone you trust, allowing others to show up for you, and exploring ways to reconnect to service and community.
- Help shape the podcast: take the Medal of Honor listener survey at bit.ly/mohsurvey (also in the episode notes).
- Set a reminder: Season 3 of Medal of Honor is slated for May 2026.
Sponsor & logistics (brief)
- Episode sponsor: Navy Federal Credit Union (promoting a limited-time $250 bonus for qualifying card spend; offer ends Jan 1, 2026).
- Host: J.R. Martinez.
- Produced by: Ryan Swikert. Editor: Lydia Jean Cott. Sound design/additional music: Jake Gorski. Executive producer: Constanza Gallardo. Original music: Eric Phillips.
Why this episode matters
This short, reflective episode uses J.R. Martinez’s lived experience to model how civilians and veterans can bridge gaps: by listening, showing up, and letting storytelling heal and connect communities. It’s both a Veterans Day call-to-action and a preview of the empathy-driven storytelling the series will continue in its upcoming season.