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Patrick spent a couple of days at a military hospital in Germany, then flew on a medical-equipped plane to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

"I didn't want him here by himself," said Judy Wickens.

The Army sent airline tickets to Judy and Keith Wickens, but Judy knew her son needed to see his fiancée, Amber Olsen.

Swanson and some determined cohorts hit the streets with collection cups. They went to businesses and received great response.

"We set up a table in front of the Albertsons store with a card for people to sign," Swanson said. "We asked for $1 per signature, but people gave $20 and $50 bills. We had little kids putting their bubble gum money in the jar and signing the card."

In four days $3,000 was raised to cover Amber's airfare and other costs the Wickens will incur during their stay.

The Wickens and Amber arrived in Washington, D.C., Friday.