started tavara and the other army soldier were riding in when it was hit by a rocket. the vehicle exploded, spun around and by the time i got up there, tavare was next to the vehicle. captain lombardo pulled joel away from the wreckage. he was engulfed in flames from the explosion. he was making noises so i knew he was alive. reporter: but just barely. he had combination of severe head injuries and severe burns throughout the the body. amputation, multiple neurological problems. i came from work. my husband is waiting for me. he said i have to tell you something. he walked in and i said we have to talk. she immediately gave a sense, and said it s joel. don t tell me nothing happened to my son.