JUPITER, FL -- The path that brought five soldiers here to paradise was long and painful.
John Sloan, who didn't share his rank, tells NewsChannel 5, "I was blown up back in February by an IED while I was on the ground walking and it shattered my femur."
Another soldier explains, "I got hit with an RPG and that's how I lost my leg."
But after months of grueling rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Medical Center they, and three other soldiers got quite a gift: an all expenses paid vacation to Jupiter along with their families.
One soldier says, "I feel like I'm in a movie. This is wonderful!"
Parents and children used to sharing one small room at Walter Reed are now spending nearly a week in sprawling waterfront homes, donated by generous Jupiter residents and seeing sights some, like the Sloan family from Alaska, never dreamed of.
Sloan explains, "We've been deep sea fishing, seen the turtles on the beach at night. You can't ask for anything more."
Nothing more to ask for, for the men who went to war - not for reward, but for freedom and the loved ones fighting a new battle with them now that they're back.
Jeannette De Los Santos, the wife of an injured soldier, tells NewsChannel 5, "They get injured but we go through the same process, even though we're not injured ourselves. It affects the whole family."
While their wounds are healing, the memories of battle are more stubborn, but with each waterfront day they wash away a bit more.
The soldiers and their families will return to Walter Reed Thursday to continue their treatment. The group that sponsored the trip, Operation Second Chance is looking for donations so they can offer more opportunities like this.
To help, visit: www.operationsecondchance.org
