4 Michigan soldiers hurt in Afghanistan

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Five Michigan Army National Guard members are recovering from a blast in Afghanistan.

They are assigned with the 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment, which deployed earlier this year for a one-year mobilization. 

• Private 1st Class Jon Brancheau of Wyoming, Mich.
• Spec. Justin Skaggs of Grand Rapids, Mich.
• Spec. Jeremiah Eberly of Charlotte, Mich.
• Spec. Michael McNichol of Mount Pleasant, Mich.
• Ed Fuentesbueno of Phoenix, Ariz.

They were posted at an entry control point in Kunduz Province when an explosive device was thrown at their location and detonated on Feb. 26, according to the National Guard.

Four of the soldiers were taken to military medical facilities at Bagram Airfield for treatment, and have returned to active duty. Officials told 24 Hour News 8 the fifth is recovering, and expected to be all right.  

24 Hour News 8 spoke with Skaggs' wife Sarah Thursday night. She said this is her husband's second deployment, but the first time that he has been injured. Previously, he served in Iraq.

She said her heart dropped and thought "the worst" when she received the phone call he had been injured. The couple has been married for nearly two years; their anniversary is on March 13.

Sarah Skaggs told 24 Hour News 8 she is not exactly sure the extent of his injuries, but her husband told her he is fine. She said she thinks his face was injured in the blast.  She told 24 Hour News 8 she felt much better once she heard from him.

"People can tell you he's OK, but until you hear it from his mouth, you know, that really made things a lot better," said Sarah Skaggs.   

She added the injury has just made him more determined.  

"It just drives him more," she said. "That's just the way he is. He feels like he's making a difference and he is where he's supposed to be, so I support him 1,000%. Even on the hard days when I miss him so much."

She said she can't wait to hug her husband when he returns home to the States. She's not exactly sure when that will be.