Photography

HAL BERNTON / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Montera, in wheelchair, was on his fourth tour of duty in Afghanistan last April when Taliban mortar rounds triggered an explosion. Montera, of San Diego, lost his legs in the blast. "I survived. The doctors attributed that to the shape I was in -- I was in very good shape -- but I attribute it to a higher power," Montera said Tuesday at a Joint Base Lewis-McChord ceremony to mark the return from Afghanistan of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. During the ceremony, MonteroMontera and other wounded soldiers reunited with their units on the parade field. Pictured above with Montera, 33, are Spc. Max Tenorio, 21, with crutches, and Spc. Corey Garmon, 24, with cane, who also suffered amputations and multiple operations. "It feels good to see all these guys," Montera said.