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Staff Sgt. Andrew Payne (left), infantryman, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), Staff Sgt. Tim Payne (center), infantryman, and Emily Payne (right), Tim's wife, gather in a foyer at the Walter Reed National Military Center in Bethesda, Md on June 29, 2007. After Tim suffered a tragic injury in Afghanistan, Andrew was the first to be by his brother's side. Courtesy Photo
Staff Sgt. Andrew Payne (left), infantryman, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), and older brother, Staff Sgt. Tim Payne (right), infantryman, Warrior Transition Team, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Md., enjoy a meal at a restaurant in Italy
on Jan. 18, 2012. Andrew has remained by Tim's side during Tim's recovery from an IED injury he sustained in Afghanistan.
Courtesy Photo
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ARLINGTON, Va. (1/18/2012) -- Staff Sgt.'s Andrew and Tim Payne, the
youngest of four boys from Buffalo, N.Y., have always been close,
and a horrible circumstance brought them even closer.
“It
was a normal 4th of July weekend for me. I was about to head over to
my dad's house for the holiday when he called me,” said Andrew,
infantryman, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd U.S. Infantry
Regiment (The Old Guard). “My dad said Tim stepped on an IED, lost
both his legs, but was alive in a medical facility getting
treatment.”
Andrew said for the next week his thought
process was shot and in disarray.
“I really could not focus
on anything,” said Andrew. “My older brother, who I looked up to,
was hurt and there was nothing I could do until he got stateside.”
Once Tim was transported to the United States, Andrew rushed to
his side.
“My wife and I were one of the first to see my
brother at Walter Reed when he arrived,” said Andrew. “While he was
laying there sleeping, I stood in disbelief of what happened to my
big brother.”As Tim slept, Andrew said he would whisper in Tim's ear
that he was safe and loved.
“I have been [there for]
my brother my whole life,” said Andrew. “There was no way I
was going to leave him because he would do the same for me.”
Tim, worn out and
exhausted, woke up from a heavy sedation after three weeks
of being in the hospital.
“It was like he was my
angel standing there,” said Tim. “He was the first person I
saw and I was glad to see him.”
Through high school,
the two were almost inseparable until Tim decided to join
the Army.
“Joining the Army was the best thing for
me,” said Tim. “It gave me a chance to travel and see the
world.”
Andrew, the younger of the two, said he
always admired Tim's dedication to serve his country.
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