[caption id=“attachment_521” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“US Army Sergeant First Class Mike Schlitz, who was severely burned and lost both arms in a IED blast in 2007, hugs a military comrade as he returns to visit his 10th Mountain unit as part of "Operation Proper Exit” at Combat Outpost Carver, Iraq, December 30, 2009. (USO Photo by Mike Theiler)“][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_522” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“A member of the US Army’s 10th Mountain (right) makes a comment at a Meet and Greet for returning Wounded Warriors, seated at the table in background, as part of "Operation Proper Exit” at Combat Outpost Carver, Iraq, December 30, 2009. (seated left to right): Sergeant First Class Josh Olson, Captain Sam Brown, First Lieutenant Jim Kirchner (Retired), Sergeant First Class Mike Schlitz, and Sergeant Bill Congleton (Retired). (USO Photo by Mike Theiler)“][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_523” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Soldiers of the US Army’s 10th Mountain listen intently to Wounded Warriors who have returned to Iraq as part of "Operation Proper Exit” at Combat Outpost Carver, Iraq, December 30, 2009. Co-sponsored by the USO and the Troops First Foundation, the program is designed to help bring closure to wounded service members who have been injured in combat, the group will be retracing their steps to the areas they once patrolled. (USO Photo by Mike Theiler)“][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_524” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“US Army First Lieutenant Jim Kirchner (Retired), (right) who was wounded in a mortar attack in 2005 in Iraq, chats with a team of soldiers from the Army’s 10th Mountain, as part of "Operation Proper Exit” at Combat Outpost Carver, Iraq, December 30, 2009. (USO Photo by Mike Theiler)“][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_525” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“US Army First Lieutenant Jim Kirchner (Retired) (left), who was wounded in a mortar attack in 2005 close to where he is standing, chats with members of the North Carolina National Guard, as part of "Operation Proper Exit” at Camp Mahmudiya, formerly Forward Operating Base Saint Michael, Iraq, December 30, 2009. (USO Photo by Mike Theiler)“][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_526” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“US Army First Lieutenant Jim Kirchner (Retired) (left), who was wounded in a mortar attack in 2005 close to where he is standing, chats with members of the North Carolina National Guard at a makeshift memorial to fallen soldiers, as part of "Operation Proper Exit” at Camp Mahmudiya, formerly Forward Operating Base Saint Michael, Iraq, December 30, 2009. (USO Photo by Mike Theiler)“][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_528” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“US Army Captain Sam Brown (center), who was badly burned in a IED blast in 2008 in Afghanistan shows his wounds to soldiers of the US Army’s 10th Mountain, as part of "Operation Proper Exit” at Combat Outpost Carver, Iraq, December 30, 2009. (USO Photo by Mike Theiler)“][/caption]