Wounded Tulsa Soldier Returns Home For The Holidays

A Tulsa soldier is back on the homefront. Specialist Aaron Estes was injured by a homemade bomb in Afghanistan in July, but Wednesday he returned to Tulsa for the holidays.

There is nothing like being home for Christmas, especially for the men and women serving in the military. Tuesday was an especially heartwarming homecoming for Specialist Aaron Estes.

With the Patriot Guard as support, the mother of a Tulsa soldier is getting ready to welcome him home.

"Let's put it this way, we're very thankful and very blessed because there's a lot of families that don't have their families or don't have their loved ones," said Pamela Wilson, soldier's mother.

Specialist Estes is in the 45th Infantry that's currently serving in Afghanistan. He's spent the past few months in San Antonio recovering after his patrol was attacked with a homemade bomb.

"He has a lot of shrapnel, he lost the vision in his left eye, right now he's got about 5 percent hearing," Wilson said.

The blast that changed Specialist's Estes' life claimed two of his fellow soldiers. Lt. Jered Ewy and Specialist Augustus Vicari died in the explosion.

8/5/2011 Related Story: Deadliest Week For Oklahoma Soldiers In Afghanistan

Estes was very close to the men and when his wife gave birth to their fourth child earlier this month, he decided to name him Augustus Jered, as a tribute to his friend's sacrifice.

"Lt. Ewy was my PO and it was hard...it's the best way I could honor both of them," Estes said.

Estes says his wounds are healing and he wishes he could be back with his unit. He wants the world to know that Oklahoma soldiers are fighting hard and making a difference.

"They're brave and they're doing their job and they're accomplishing their mission," Estes said.

Specialist Estes will be in Tulsa until January 3rd, and then he will return to San Antonio. He'll continue to rehab there and isn't sure how long it will be until he is able to come back home permanently.