Wounded Warriors return to Afghanistan, believe 'It was all for something'

By Sgt. Ashley CurtisDecember 10, 2012

Wounded warriors return to Afghanistan, believe 'It was all for something'
1 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Retired Army Capt. Samuel Brown shakes hands with Maj. Gen. Robert "Abe" Abrams, Third Infantry Division and Regional Command (South) commanding general, upon arrival at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan for Operation Proper Exit, Dec. 6, 2012. Operati... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Wounded warriors return to Afghanistan, believe 'It was all for something'
2 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Spc. Lyle Yantz and several other service members participating in Operation Proper Exit are greeted at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, after arrival, Dec. 6, 2012. Operation Proper Exit brings severely wounded service members back to the ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Wounded warriors return to Afghanistan, believe 'It was all for something'
3 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Retired U.S. Army Capt. Samuel Brown speaks to a group of Soldiers at Camp Nathan Smith located inside Kandahar City, Afghanistan, as part of Operation Proper Exit, Dec. 6, 2012. Operation Proper Exit brings severely wounded service members back to ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Wounded warriors return to Afghanistan, believe 'It was all for something'
4 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A group of Soldiers and Marines participating in Operation Proper Exit meet with Regional Command (South)'s commanding general and command sergeant major at the region's headquarters building located on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Dec. 6, 2012. ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Wounded warriors return to Afghanistan, believe 'It was all for something'
5 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A service member participating in Operation Proper Exit loads a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Dec. 6, 2012. Operation Proper Exit brings severely wounded service members back to the theater where they sustained their in... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Wounded warriors return to Afghanistan, believe 'It was all for something'
6 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Marine Corp Lance Cpl. Jonathan Carnes shows his prosthetic foot to Maj. Gen. Robert "Abe" Abrams, Regional Command (South) and Third Infantry Division commanding general, at the region's headquarters on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, during Operati... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Wounded warriors return to Afghanistan, believe 'It was all for something'
7 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Earl Granville of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard talks about his prosthetic leg while participating in Operation Proper Exit at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Dec. 6, 2012. Operation Proper Exit brings severely wo... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Dec. 9, 2012) -- The group made various stops here as part of Feherty's Troops First Foundation's Operation Proper Exit. This trip was the first of its kind to Afghanistan.

Army Sgt. Jared Lemon of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, heard about the program from a fellow wounded warrior who had returned to Iraq through the foundation.

"He told me how it was a release for him and how it helped him out a lot," he said. "I wanted that. I wanted to have that feeling. It's great to come back here and feel like part of a unit again."

The Soldiers and Marines had been deployed to the country at various times between 2008 and 2011. Seven improvised explosive devices and one sniper later, the group collectively lost seven limbs and suffered burns, gunshot wounds and several other serious injuries.

But what keeps them bonded is far beyond the power of the enemy; their love of service and concern for their fellow Soldiers and the mission.

Recalling the event that took the life of the Soldier next him and as well as his right arm, Lemon said, "The hardest thing for me was waking up not with my guys."

The sentiment was echoed by the rest of the group.

"It's amazing just to put the uniform back on and be in this environment with Soldiers and Marines over here," said retired Army Staff Sgt. Earl Granville of the Pennsylvania National Guard's 1/109th Infantry. "Words can't explain it."

Four of the eight say they plan to continue military service and two others are working towards veteran-related occupations.

The group spoke to Soldiers much like the ones they were deployed with during a town hall gathering at Camp Nathan Smith, situated in the heart of Kandahar City. One Marine commented on how the now brightly lit city was void of electricity when he was here last and each member of the group commented on their amazement at the progress that has been made across Afghanistan since they left.

"When we were there, we never really worked with the ANA (Afghan National Army) and ANCOP (Afghan National Civil Order Police) that well," said Marine Corp Lance Corporal Jonathan Carnes of 3/7 Weapons Company.

"As soon as we'd ever get in a fire fight, or an IED blast or anything, they'd leave," Carnes continued. "Now I hear about the progress they've made and how they're taking over most of our battle spaces. They're running the majority of the combat operations and they actually get to lead the fight and take it to the enemy. It's profound, honestly. It's amazing."

"I had no hope for Afghanistan when I left. It means a lot to know it was all for something," Spc. Lyle Yantz, 2/508th Parachute Airborne Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, said of their sacrifices. "It's meaningful."

"I've learned a lot since I've been on this trip," said Lemon. "It really means a lot to me that things have changed. It was really good coming back and finding out what I'd done, what my unit had done, what other Soldiers had done actually made a difference. It's not a hopeless fight."