VPR/Steve Zind

Since July of last year, small groups of wounded soldiers from the war in Iraq have been returning to the places where they sustained their injuries.

They're taking part in something called Operation Proper Exit, which was started by a small Maryland non-profit called The Troops First Foundation.

Ken Butler - a Braintree, Massachusetts native who's now a student at Norwich University in Northfield - was in the first group of soldiers to go back to Iraq.

Butler plans to return this year as a mentor with Operation Proper Exit. He'll accompany other wounded soldiers who feel visiting the place where they were injured is an important part of the recovery process.

He spoke with VPR's Steve Zind about the program.