a cool reason to watch the State of the Union

I just received this email from our pastor's wife, Shawn, about her brother Brian who lost both of his legs while serving in Afghanistan:

Dear Friends,


I wanted to send an update on my brother Brian and also make an announcement perhaps you already saw televised/ online yesterday. I just received a phone call informing me that Brian and Brianna were invited to the State of the Union Address tonight at the Capitol. Brian will be sitting with Michelle our First Lady and Brianna will be sitting with Biden. While at the Capitol my nephew Magnum will be cared for at the White House. You can watch it tonight at 9pm. and check it out at this link for a video feed of the announcement. http://www.fox17online.com/news/fox17-president-obama-invites-local-01252011,0,3129685.story

Many of you know that back in November Brian and Bri were invited to the Vice Presidents home for a Thanksgiving dinner but I'm not sure if you saw the picture of little Magnum and Daddy. http://www.zimbio.com/Brian+Mast/pictures/pro.

On Christmas day his story was featured on the front page of the Grand Rapids press our home town with a follow up and picture on his new super hero legs as my son Quinn likes to call them. http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/12/army_sergeant_brian_mast_finds.html
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/09/family_thankful_after_critical.html

We have continued to see God's favor and love being poured out on my brother through encouragement and honor and blessings that are grand!

I continue to be amazed at his progress and his perseverance mentally and physically. Two weeks ago he participated in a Soldier Ride in which he biked with his hands down in Miami/ Keys to support and benefit the Wounded Warrior project. Last week he received honors both at Bragg in North Carolina and in Savannah Georgia. To name a few he was honored with a Purple Heart, a Bronze star, given a commendation for Valor that was a recognition from before the accident and in Savannah he had a ceremony in which he was excepted as an Honorable member of the Rangers.

Brian has undergone 10 surgeries and has undergone and will continue for many months intense physical therapy at Walter Reed Medical in Washington. He is doing incredible, absolutely incredible with the great feat of walking again! Brian and Brianna have quite a journey ahead of them. But they have begun this journey as Heros! We are so very proud of them!

Thank you for your prayers and love shown to my brother and his family. Without this support he would not be where he is today.

We love you all.

Shawn & Frank Ramseur