By Hector Prieto, Senior

Patriotism and excitement became contagious and spread throughout downtown Dalton on January 7, 2012, a day dubbed J.R. Martinez Day. A parade marched through the typical Dalton parade route but this time it was led and dedicated to Dalton hero, J.R. Martinez and his mother. 

The parade consisted of the Dalton High and North Murray High marching bands, the “Rising Stars” of local elementary schools, the Dance Theater of Dalton, and several antique cars and floats supporting patriotism and Martinez. The people of Dalton really showed their support by their chanting, signs, and through their chatter among the parade route. 

Susan Ward, a teacher at Dalton Middle School knows J.R. personally and got the opportunity to ride in the convertible carrying him. She said, “I thought it was great that as we were riding down the street, he was filming the crowd that had come out to see him." This just shows that he was as excited to be capture the moment as his fans. 

Through the crowds, an older lady mentioned she has followed him throughout this past season of Dancing with the Stars and that she even learned how to text on her cell phone just to vote for J.R. 

Along the parade route, there was also a large group representing Martinez's mother's fan club. As she climbed the stairs toward the raised platform that she and J.R. stood on to watch the parade, this group chanted “Momma Maria! Momma Maria!” They held signs with pictures of them and Maria grabbed one and held it up for the public and photographers. Fans were as excited to see her as they were to see J.R. Because of her success in raising such a successful man as a single mother. 

The celebrations of J.R. Martinez Day continued at the North West Georgia Trade and Convention Center at a "Welcome Home Rally." As the crowd entered the exhibit hall, they were given a small American Flag to wave around. 

The festivities were kicked off by the Dalton Band and Cheerleaders. Dalton High School student, Spencer McCraven sang “God Bless America” and the Dance Theater of Dalton performed a flash-mob style dance routine to the song "Firework" in light of J.R.'s successful dancing career this past year. 

Martinez accepted the Key to the City, and many others honors from dignitaries from the military, and the state and local governments. Principal Debbie Freeman, Ron Ward, and Ronnie McClurg presented Martinez with honors from Dalton High including the last jersey he wore in the play off game his senior year.

Martinez was able to tell stories that showed his appreciation for Dalton and how he thinks of it as home despite the fact that he was not born in Dalton. He also showed his appreciation for the south; he told about how California did not understand the concepts of sweet tea and waffle fries. Therefore, many fans brought J.R waffle fries and sweet tea. 

Martinez was said to have signed autographs for his fans until 8:30, constantly sharing a smile for photographs.

All and all, Martinez seemed to have had a great time according to his tweets. The day after the festivities, he tweeted, “Exhausted I was yesterday but want to thank Dalton, Ga for the amazing love they showed me and my mother. Love pulled me though lack of sleep”. And again to show he referred to Dalton as home, he quoted Robert Frost : “Home is the place where, when you go there, they take you in”.