Army Ranger Staff Sgt. Scot Noss, 30, of Lebanon continues to recover at a Florida military hospital from a traumatic brain injury he received when the CH-47 Chinook he was riding in crashed in the mountains of southeastern Afghanistan on Feb. 18, 2007. The crash took the lives of eight other soldiers.

In an e-mail, Scot's wife RyAnne said he is still considered minimally conscious, with a score of three out of four on the Rancho Coma Scale at the James A. Haley Medical Center in Tampa, Fla.

He is able to respond to simple commands with a thumbs up sign, by looking up or vocalizing with a soft sound, RyAnne Noss said.

Noss suffered a medical setback several months ago when a wound on his backside became infected. He has been infection free for two months, allowing doctors to place him on a regular physical therapy routine to help restore muscle tone. Part of Noss' therapy mimics a stepping motion using an Erigo machine, the first one in the United States, RyAnne Noss said.

Scot and other minimally conscious patients are undergoing advanced experimental procedures to help them recover.

"The doctors here at the Tampa VA are committed 110 percent in doing everything that is possible to help Scot regain more function," RyAnne Noss said. "We are really blessed to have knowledgeable and compassionate doctors and staff on board for Scot."

RyAnne Noss frequently posts updates on Scot's condition on the Caring Bridge website www.caringbridge.

org/visit/scottnoss. Visitors can leave messages on the website.

"The Noss family and I appreciate the constant prayers and support from the wonderful community of Lebanon," RyAnne Noss said.

Scot Noss graduated from Lebanon High School in 1996. He traveled for a year with a mission ministry before joining the Army, where he served in special operations.

He met RyAnne (Dial) Noss of Birmingham, Ala., while she was attending college near his base.

Scot is the son of Nelda and Ron Noss. She is a retired elementary school teacher and he is a retired Linn County deputy. His brother Ryan Noss is principal of Pioneer School. His sister is Holley Christopherson.

A fund has been set up to help Scot and RyAnne cover medical and other expenses after he is medically discharged from the military. Donations may be made to: Scot Noss Fund, c/o Ann Sullivan, 6202 Colony Park Dr., Birmingham, AL 35243.