JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A First Coast Army Lieutenant is fighting for his life after being hit by a suicide bomber.
Ryan Timoney is being flown to Walter Reed Medical Center for specialized treatment Friday.
He was injured last Sunday, and has moved from hospitals in Afghanistan and Germany.
His parents say they are hopeful he will make a full recovery.
"Hey Ryan, it's mom. Hang in there buddy! We love you so much and we're going to be there real soon," said his mom, Diane.
Holding the phone up to his ear, a family friend stationed in Germany let the Timoneys talk to their son.
"Both of us had the opportunity to talk to him, tell him how much we love him, and to hang in there, keep fighting," she said.
Diane and Greg Timoney are packing their bags to head to Walter Reed to meet Ryan in the hospital.
The couple is only making the trip with their younger son, William, but the family is far from alone.
"The family has mobilized, the church has mobilized, all the prayers we've been getting, it's turning in to saving Lieutenant Ryan," said his father, Greg.
Still unconscious, Ryan is in life threatening condition.
And while he's currently unable to speak, Ryan's father says he knows how important serving his country is to his son.
"We spoke a lot about service, and his choice of service. The Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, but he's always been that outdoor boy, adventure boy, so this is what he wanted to do," he said.
He had only been at it for 3 weeks in Afghanistan when his unit was hit by a suicide bomber, killing two other soldiers.
Ryan was first in a hospital in Afghanistan before he was flown to Germany.
"There's not a mark on his face, his color is very good. So it's very deceiving because there's nothing wrong with his face at all. He's quite muscular and fit, so he's a strong young man," she said.
And a positive young man.
His family says Ryan is always the life of the party, so now they want to uplift him when they meet him at Walter Reed Friday.
"I will direct the troops. Smiles! Happy, happy talk," she said.
Greg and Diane say they will remain at Walter Reed as long as their son needs them.