Captain Erik S. Johnson, left, an Army occupational therapist, works with wounded warriors like Army Sargeant Monte Bernardo, helping them achieve some of the things they used to do before receiving their severe injuries.

THE WASHINGTON POST/MARVIN JOSEPH

Sergeant Monte Bernardo, left, and his girlfriend Amanda Simmons look to see how far a golf ball traveled across a field at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

THE WASHINGTON POST/MARVIN JOSEPH

In a Target store, Captain Erik S. Johnson, center, and Sergeant Monte Bernardo and Bernardo's sister, Stella Shafer, joke about a nutcracker doll dressed in military fatigues who happens to be missing one arm.

THE WASHINGTON POST/MARVIN JOSEPH

Monte Bernardo shops for a few items at a local Target in December. Monte lost both of his legs and one of his arms in an IED explosion in Afghanistan in July.

THE WASHINGTON POST/MARVIN JOSEPH

Army occupational therapist Captain Erik S. Johnson, left, and Sergeant Monte Bernardo, who was critically injured by an IED in Afghanistan, wrestle each other. The two men have become good friends during the long months of rehabilitation.