Community supports wounded airman.

Air Force Airman First Class Brandon Byers was wounded in Iraq on October 16 when his patrol unit was hit with an improvised explosive device. Byers was immediately airlifted to a military trauma center in Kuwait, where he underwent emergency surgery. On October 28, he was transferred to Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Brandon's wife, Meg, their daughter, Cameron, and his parents, Gary and Diana Byers, all traveled to San Antonio to be there when he arrived. And that was just the start of a show of support for the wounded airman that turned a stroke of misfortune into an inspiring reflection on human goodness.

In a letter sent "To all the folks back home," published in the Daily Light, Airman First Class Byers said, in part:

   I wanted to thank you and express
   my appreciation for all of the support
   from the Waxahachie Daily Light and
   the community.... I read all of the articles
   and the special notes and was
   moved by all of them. I also ... thank
   you for all of the prayers. I felt all of
   them and now that I am home, I am
   seeing them answered and experiencing
   miracles every day.... I am overwhelmed
   by the number of people
   who have thanked me for my service
   and I wanted to let everyone know
   how thankful I am for everything that
   has been done for me. Especially for
   the dedication of the halftime performance
   at the homecoming game.
   Mom and Dad brought the video and
   it was really something spectacular....
   My wife and family have been surrounded
   and supported by family,
   friends and co-workers during this
   time and for that I will be forever
   grateful.

   I will never be able to repay all
   of the kindness that has been shown
   towards me, but I will push myself
   to return to duty and my family as
   quickly as my body will allow.