First Lt. George Collins, left, takes a break with Sgt. Erich Smallwood, who was killed in an IED explosion in May 2007. Smallwood received an Army Commendation Medal posthumously, and today Collins wears a bracelet engraved with Smallwood's name. (Photo courtesy of George Collins)

First Lt. George Collins, left, takes a break with Sgt. Erich Smallwood, who was killed in an IED explosion in May 2007. Smallwood received an Army Commendation Medal posthumously, and today Collins wears a bracelet engraved with Smallwood’s name. (Photo courtesy of George Collins)