MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Severely wounded in war, Lance Corporal Christian Brown is fighting for his life in a hospital in Afghanistan. The Munford High School graduate was critically injured in an explosion on December 13, 2011.
It was a call she always knew was possible but never imagined would come. Lyn Braden-Reed woke up that morning to news that her 28-year-old son was critically wounded fighting for his country. Now she is fighting for him.
"I just want to be there with him. I mean, that's my baby and I want to be there with him," she said.
Christian Brown's younger brother, Bobby Braden, said it's all he can do to keep his mother's mind off what she has no control over.
"It's hard; I've cried all the tears I got. I know she's got more to cry but they're worth it," he told abc24.com. "We love our brother. She loves her son."
Brown was serving his second deployment in Afghanistan when he was caught in an IED attack.
Reed got the call Dec. 13 at 6 o'clock in the morning. She was given very little information, with updates only coming once every 24 hours.
"It's been horrible, horrible, but the outreach of the community has been wonderful. We've had so much support, so much love and prayer. It's been unbelievable. It's much needed and much appreciated."
As the hours ticked by, all Reed could do was wait.
"It was the longest 24 hours of my life and the worst part is you want to be there holding him, letting him know how much you love him - and you can't be there."
The Marine, known as "Memphis" to his war buddies, made it through two surgeries in Afghanistan and according to the Marines, he's responding well. Reed doesn't know how to feel.
"He has a left leg below the knee amputation, a right leg above the knee amputation and a right finger amputation," she said. "[He has] bilateral shrapnel injuries, a hip fracture and basic trauma all over."
Reed doesn't know when she'll see her son. For now, all she can do is pray and wait another 24 hours for her phone to ring again.
"I love him with all my heart. I love him and I'm ready to see him."
The earliest Lance Corporal Brown could be stateside is Saturday, Dec. 17. The Marines will fly Reed to Maryland to be with her son at the Walter Reed facility.
In the meantime, Brown's family is working on setting up a fund to assist in his recovery.
If you would like to offer your help, you can contact the family at
loveforchristianbrown0331@gmail.comAlso, an account has been set up by Munford River of Life Church to help with Brown's care:
Christian Brown Medical Expense Fund
First Citizen's National Bank
1436 Munford Ave
Munford, TN 38058-6742
(901) 837-3385
