As a former military child, to a former military wife, I can only offer my sincerest condolences in this tragic story.

My son was just at this hospital for potential emergency surgery only a week before. This story brought a very scary feeling to me. One place I have always trusted in was David Grant Medical Cetner. They are one of the best hospitals and training facilities in the military.

I will do my best to get the word out to my military friends and family and get the family the financial support, I am sure this young family will need.

My prayers and well wishes are with the family at their time of need. Please be strong. The story says, we take care of our own and we will do our best to make that come true.

Many Blessings,

Former AF Wife, and strong supporter of all services and their families.

Colton & Jessica:
Once again your entire AF family continues to uplift your family in prayer. I thank the Read family for their recent letter.

While it is appreciated it is unecessary to say thanks because the AF always responds in that way whenever a fellow-airman is in need.

It is appreciated because unfortunately the press overlooks this aspect on the AF support system.

I know I speak on behalf of the AF family when we not only say you're welcome but we will be there for all of you in every capacity for as long as it takes. May God bless you all!

Airman Read,

Hang in there buddy. I don't know you personally, but you work with someone very close to me. Stacey Coomes is my fiancee and she has told me about your difficult situation. She tells me you are an outstanding airman and an amazing wingman. All I can tell you is to stay strong and know that fellow servicemen, like myself, are thinking and praying for you. I'm pulling for you to stay in the Air Force and continue your service - so get as well as you can as soon as you can! I've been to Iraq twice and I can tell you that we need good men across this nation everywhere protecting our freedom. What you do is very important to the guys on the ground. Hang in there brother and fight on. Never give up! God Bless You and your family.

Dan Kosters
CPT, QM
U.S. Army

Thinking of you and your family, wishing you strength, optimism, and reslience, and the best possible course from here. Your family has been on my mind since learning of your story and I have been touched by this more than you know. Sending prayers, thoughts, good vibes, and all the forces of the universe from NYC to California. Keep your head and your heart up. Thinking of you.

Ahhhhh, the photo of Colton at the San Antonio Riverwalk! Awesome place to visit! Fond memories to many USAF families that attend BMT Graduation in San Antonio, TX ... this place is usually the Airman's 1st off-base town pass with family & loved ones & many treasured memories are made here!

Our prayers are with you dear A1C Read. What lies ahead for you can only be comprehensible to God ... and only He at this moment in time has the answers as to 'why me Lord'. When we 1st saw the report on our local evening news, we all were totally shocked! Horrified! Filled with many questions! Immediately we prayed for you & your family, knowing that the road ahead is going to be challenging. And you have our TOTAL support for we are part of the USAF family and truly believe in
"...I will never leave an Airman behind ..."! We will do whatever it takes to help you along the long road of recovery ... PROMISE!

God bless you. And someday (possibly soon!) may we meet up on the 'other side of eterniy' and once again do the Airman's Run ... or whatever we desire!

I just read the letter from the family today and I have to say, Wow - I think they are hearing you! Let us thank God for intervening and the family for persevering on Colton's behalf so diligently. Let us all keep the faith and continue to keep Colton front and center so that this does not "just go away"! I am so touched by how everyone has responded! I love you Colton and will continue to pray for you. Jessica - that goes for you two. I'm so proud of you and how you have handled all of this with such love, grace and devotion to your husband! God bless you both!

Colten my heart goes out to you my precious friend.Im devistated by what these doctors have done and there is a judgement day for these people.Hold strong to your faith and your creator. He will see you thruogh this ordeal.Always know that there are those who appreciate your loyalty to your country and the sacrifice you were willing to make to keep this country free we are indebted to you.I salute you Airman Read God Bless you

I frequent the OR, and I am deeply moved by all of Colton's friends who patiently wait day and night to support him.

I'm very sorry about the unfortunate event, and hope for a quick and thorough recovery.

Steve and Irene,
We are keeping Colton and you guys in our prayers. We follow his progress everyday in the paper. Colton is young and strong and he will pull through this. We love and miss you guys,
Perry and Kathy

Thanks for keeping us updated on his condition. Our hearts go out to Colton, Jessica and the family. You all will be in our thoughts and prayers.
We love you all.
Chris and Elizabeth Partain

I just read your story and now I am on this website. I am deeply saddened by what has happened to Colton. I am a military mom whose son got out of the Navy in May. I cannot imagine the pain and anguish that you are suffering. I prayed that God would hold Colton in his arms and heal him. Jessica..stay strong for your husband you are a testament to love. To Colton's parents and mom especially, my heart is with you. May God give all of you the strength you need to get through this.

My prayers are with you. As a former Air Force wife I know the struggle to fight the system but it can be done. A suggestion for a legal battle should the direct route fail ... sue for loss of family earnings and hardship to the family based upon the doctor's obvious negligence. It is a theory that circumvents the rules as the family has not signed any binding agreements.

Good luck Airman Read! May God speed your recovery and bless you and your family. Keep fighting for the family who loves you so very much; they have done a great job on your behalf.

From San Antonio, Texas

Jessica Colton and your family
I cannot begin to comprehend what you have had to go through to this point. You are in my prayers. I am military and the mother/mother-in-law, wife, sister, child of military members. We go through so much as military members and to think that you have to worry about your "medical care providers" is ludicrous.

Stay strong and and don't let them get you down!

E. Speed Ft Bliss El Paso TX

Colton & family,

We are just heartbroken by this. You & your family are in my prayers daily. Know that you are lifted in prayer at St Andrew's UMC as well. It is a fact that you have a long road ahead of you in your recovery. However, having known you for several years, I have no doubt you will overcome. God has good things, no, GREAT things planned for you. Believe that!

Harriet Sexton

I just wanted to thank every one for their support and prayers. Its really heart warming to see all these comments. When Colton feels better, we plan on showing all these amazing comments. It truly shows people care. He had surgery today, it went well. The doctors have said they plan on starting to close Colton's right leg on Tuesday but not closing it completely. He still has an up hill battle to fight, a long road a head. With God's help, support of wife, and support of others, he will win the battle. Thanks again for all the prayers and support.

Steve
May the peace of Christ be with you.

We are all with you, Colton. Hang in there, be brave and know you are cared about.

Hey buddy,

We all are pulling for you here at Royal Air Force Lakenheath! I honestly can say that I think about you quite a bit and hope that you are getting better. We're all rooting for you and hope that you can make a trip over here to jolly old England to share the phenomenal story that you have and will go through. You truly are an inspiration to everyone here. You will walk again Colton, I know it, I know it. Don't ever ever ever give up. You have friends rooting for you all around your Air Force family.

To the Reed family - you are in my thoughts and prayers thur this very difficult time - I am so sorry that you received so much "mis" information - but every AF base has a family support office and they can and will guide you thru all the steps need to ensure that Colton's future is taken care of - Be Strong - Colton & Jessica and the rest of the family - you are a vital part of his survival and we are all pulling for you - all your air force family. My mom goes to church every day and you are a part of a group of people that they will pray for every day - god bless and good luck

I read a short article about your story today in our newspaper in Midland, TX. It so touched my heart! I pray that God blesses you, Colton, with an over- abundance of determination, courage, patience, strength, and faith! You will be in my prayers.

I can't even begin to imagine the nightmare this must be for all of you...
As a military brat, and now wife, I know only too well how the military hospitals can be. I hope you have compassionate staff working with you to do whats best for Colton right now! I also hope the Air Force continues to look out for your family. Remember- Colton is part of something bigger. Don't be afraid to reach out to the numerous veterans groups, in addition to the services available to active duty servicemen. Please take care, adn know this Navy family is thinking of you.

A1C Read & Family,

Please know that you and your friends and family are in mine and my family's thoughts and prayers. After my last deployment to the sandbox, I like many developed some medical conditions that were impacting my life. After multiple visits and seeing the incompetence of the PA and the MD at the base clinic who did nothing for me, I demanded and got an off-base referral to see a civilian general surgeon following the advice of my wife who works in the medical profession. Long story short, I had to have immediate surgery and don't know where or how I would be if I had continued to rely on the AF medical team/system solely. I cannot fully understand your pain and situation, but know that God has a plan and will always provide for you and yours. I too pray that laws are changed to protect you and prevent others from enduring the same hardships. Please stay strong and continue to fight the good fight. God bless.

- Maj C "forever your AF brother"




Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."




Footprints In The Sand, by Mary Stevenson Zangare

One night a man had a dream, He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.

For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, One belonging to him and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He notice many times in his life there was only one set of footprints.

He also noticed that it happened to be at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.

"Lord, you said once I decided to follow You, You'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed You the most You would leave me."

The LORD replied:
"My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

Colton and family,

We are keeping all of you in our prayers and wish the very best for you. Although there are things that can not be undone, we hope that God will give you the grace and determination to deal with your situation.

As a mother of 2 sons my heart breaks for what this family has gone through, but i know Colton has a loving family and the support and prayers of all who know him and his family,,Colton will be in many prayers every night as his family is in many thoughts and hearts

you lost your legs but got a coin, congrats. this type of stuff pisses me off, because you know the Dr is going to be allowed to exit the military with nothing negative on his record and will be able to get a job as a Dr somewhere else. just to do this crap again... maybe then the POS can be sued for his lack of detail. after hearing this I will fight as hard as i can before I go to another military Dr. and if they still say no then I will just live with it.

I pray for you and your family every day, as well as everyone else in the 436th MDG here at Dover AFB! Keep your head up. This too shall pass.

436th AW is pulling for your speedy recovery.

Yes he got coined. Haven't you people ever heard of the saying "if you can't say anything nice, dont say it at all" Colton collects them, the air force knows this. If you knew Colton personally, you would know this. So keep your comments to your self.

I pray daily for Colton and his family, I have put them on my prayer list, and that of our church, we seldom understand why these things happen, but I have to believe it has it reason, God has a btter plan for them. You don't have to worry about punishing the doctor or anyone, let God handle it, and you will be surprised at the results. The thing here is not to post, then nothing else, it is to support this family in all the things they will face, be there for them, emotionally, physically if needed and always in your prayers. May God watch over all of you, is my prayer.