The request from Captain David W. on November 19, 2009:

Dear Luke's Wings,
 
My name is Captain David W. I am writing you today to request airplane tickets for my wife and my son close to Christmas time.
 
On April 28, 2008, I was five months into my deployment and every day seemed a little longer. Right about dusk, my team was coming in from patrol. As we passed a checkpoint, our vehicle was hit by an EFP (Explosively Formed Penetrator). The damage to my legs was devastating. At Walter Reed, the doctors tried salvaging my right leg. The doctors used a rib from my chest and four (4) pounds of muscle from my back. A halo was inserted to hold the leg together. After 14 months or agonizing pain, the leg was amputated due to pain and bone failure. Total recover time is two years. I undergo physical therapy Monday through Friday for 3 hours. I have side effects from previous medications.
 
All I want right now is to see my son David and my wife Danielle. My son David was born August 8, 2008 (about 5 months after my injury). They returned to Georgia several months ago so David could finish school. There is a long weekend in January when both my wife and son can make the trip back here. It's close to Christmas and it's much sooner than our next possible date in March. My son is just 17 months old now and I don't want to go 6 months without seeing him.
 
Once I am released from Walter Reed, I'd like to travel home to be with my family. I want to watch David grow up. I want to play golf again. I want to be with my wife when she finishes nursing school. And I hope we can have another child and I can find a nice 9-5 job somewhere.
 
Please let me know if you can help me see my family around the holidays. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
 

Our Response on December 4:
 
Dear David,
 
First and foremost, please let us extend to you a message of immense gratitude for your service to our country. We understand your Active Duty Commitment was 11 years. A much greater commitment than most of us will ever make to our country or to each other. David, while we can't do much about the duration of your hospital stay, we can make things a bit better for you this holiday season. Tonight, Luke's Wings is joined by some 350 employees from Booz Allen Hamilton at their annual holiday party. We have agreed to make available whatever funds are necessary to bring Danielle and David to you.
 
On behalf of all of us at Luke's Wings and all of the wonderfully generous folks at Booz Allen Hamilton, we thank you David and hope our support helps. We are moved by your sacrifice to our country and by your love for your family. We also stand in great admiration of your wife's strong and persevering effort for you and David. We fully understand that service to our country and life as a wounded warrior is something you do as a family.

Please contact Khim L at MacNaire Travel Management. She has been given approval to book your flights. If you need anything else for their trip, or if you ever need tickets in the future, please contact Jenn M. She will be your official Luke's Wings liaison going forward.
 
Thank you again, and God bless you. 

Sincerely

Luke’s Wings and Booz Allen Hamilton