Angels in Afghanistan

I got a call Saturday telling me Brian's best friend Cody had been shot in Afghanistan. He came home Wednesday night to a small parade of people welcoming him home, including myself.
So much about his homecoming was like Brian's in 2006, so I had my share of flashbacks. But whether you've experienced it before or not, it's always hard to see an otherwise healthy young man carried off an aircraft on a stretcher.

There are no words for how sad it is, and how wonderful at the same time. I do know one thing for sure, I really miss my husband.
Cody was on his way home from a fire fight when a single bullet hit the aircraft and shattered on the armor plating of his seat, sending fragments into his upper thigh. He continued to fly his aircraft until he could convince his co-pilot he really was hit and they were able to land safely and get Cody out on a medivac.
If you guys knew some of the amazing people I've met through the military, you would never doubt the caliber of soldier guarding your freedom. Cody is one of those guys. He was already responsible for some heroics that may earn him an award before he was wounded. And even though he's had four surgeries and two more coming, including a skin grafting, he's ready to go back. I spent a good hour and a half with him at the hospital today and he said he finally understood some of the feelings Brian told him about after Brian got shot, like feeling guilty about the guys he left behind.
These soldiers have spilled blood on foreign soil, and they feel guilty that their brothers-in-arms are still in harm's way!
Most of these guys will not get wounded, and they are over there dodging bullets every day, protecting their brothers, helping civilians, teaching and serving the people of a country they don't even belong to. Fathers who love their kids more than life itself, husbands who yearn for the company of their soul mate. And yet they go back, time and again and say goodbye, time and again.
Cody was with Brian when Brian was shot and has always been an excellent friend to us. I still can't believe these two will have matching purple hearts! Gives a whole new meaning to blood brothers. But I'm so glad I get to send the love back his way.
You never know when you're one phone call away from something that changes your life. So on behalf of all my friends whose soul mate is across the ocean right now, show some appreciation and love to your husband, wife and kids. And say a prayer for the young, healthy guys who are throwing themselves into harm's way for you.
There is no such thing as too many angels in Afghanistan!