Colton and Jessica,

You are in my prayers...Colton you have already proven to be a fighter..keep it up! I have written to our Senators and Congressman. Jessica, anything we can do for you as your Air Force family, please let us know.

God be with you,
Trisha

I just read about your story in our local newspaper. Wanted you to know that my heartfelt prayers and thoughts are with Colton, Jessica, and his entire family during this most tragic time. Colton, you are truly an American Hero and I praise you for your courage, strength, and determination. And to Jessica, prayers for your continued strength, love, and undying committment to your husband. May God continue to keep His hands upon you all and bring peace and healing to your minds, body, and souls. Keep looking up, faith will sustain you, His hand will guide you, and His love is unfailing.

You are in my prayers. I too lerned what it was like (as a retiree) how some of the doctors/PAs are not properly trained. I had to have an emergency appendectomy because someone wanted to treat my symptoms as constipation. Long story short, my appendix was removed, but not until it was within an hour of bursting. The AF doctors and PAs here in Georgia have been all retrained to remember that symptoms need to be addressed as soon as a person makes a repeated phone call for help in a medical situation. I pray that Colton can stay in the military.

A1C Read and Family. There is nothing I can say that will lessen the impact of all that you have been through. Stay strong and know that we're all pulling for you! I truly wish you the best as you are in my thoughts...wishing you a speedy and complete recovery.
Nathan E. Green, Capt, USAF

A1C Read and family, I check this website every day for updates on Colton's condition and report to my immediate and extended family as well as our friends. You are in all of our thoughts and prayers as you go through this trying time. Thank you so much for keeping all of us up to date. More people care deeply for your family than you could possibly imagine. We are pulling for you!
Mary (AF daughter of CMSgt (ret), wife of SMSGt,mother of an AMN and of a future AF reservist)

I was crushed to hear about your story. To have this happen to one of our own here at Beale is horrible. I can not imagine how you all must feel as his family. I hope you get all the help you deserve I will keep you in my prayers. Keep your heads up

Dear Colton & Family,

Words cannot express the deep shock and sadness that I felt when I learned about what has happened to you. My prayers are with you and your family Colton. After all that I have read and learned about this terrible tragedy, I still find it surreal. The goosebumps just won't go away. This is just so sad.

Hi! My name is Brandy Griffin. My husband, Edwin is also in the Air Force. I was amazed to hear that your first concern after surgery was the Air Force. You are an unbelievable man! We don't deserve you but are so glad to have you! I hope you are able to acheive everything you want in life. I will do everything I can here at Yokota Air Base to make everyone aware of what is going on. I will continue to hold you in my thoughts. I just can't believe this has happened. I want you to know that we are crying for you everyday, that we are telling others about you and in the deepest part of our hearts we are hoping and wishing that you are well taken care of and honored for your service and strength. And please don't be afraid to reach out to anyone. You will find no lack of support.

It broke my heart when I saw this story on the news today. I went to tech school with A1C Read - in fact, I arrived there two months before he did, but was stuck there for a long time due to my own medical complications. When I saw the headline coupled with his picture, my heart dropped...

However, I've experienced on my own part the tight knit family the Air Force provides, and I know that if he's made it this far, he can do anything. I am fairly familiar with his job, as we shared the same schoolhouse, and I do not see it preventing him from his duty. Take the example of Lt. Col. Andrew Lourake, please look him up. Even as an amputee, he returned to service as a PILOT.

Colton, you may not remember me, but I remember you, and I know that you're not a weak person. Don't you ever let anything get you down, because airmen are fighting for you, as are our senators and congressmen, and so, so many people are wanting you to have a great and bright future. You have a beautiful wife and a great family. Seek comfort in them, grow and pick yourself back up. You can do anything, I promise you, if you want to.

I'm working to create a support base out here in Arkansas for you. I'm rooting for you, buddy, don't let anything get you down. You might vaguely recall me sitting working C shift CQ, depressed, with a fractured arm and under the threat of being kicked out. It doesn't come close in comparison to your situation, but even that took a lot of fighting. I know things are beyond rough, and it's very discouraging, but everyone wants to see you excel. Please, be well, get better, I'll be here when you're capable if you need someone to talk to.

A1C Golden AKA "Chicken wing"

Jessica, Colton, and Family
My prayers and thoughts are with you every day. Please let me know if there is absolutely anything you need (even if it seems too minor to ask for). Keep in mind, you have to whole nation praying and rootin' for you!
With Love,
Tiffany

We are still praying for Colton. I asked for prayers today while talking to parents at my daughters dance studio & at my dance class tonight. My sister-in-law told me she heard about Colton on the news in OK. The word is getting out & so many people are praying.

dear Jessica,
I'm Colton's cousin thro Sam i have been researching trying to help Colton i found a site that might be able to help him it is called OttoBockus.com they have prosthetic that that go up to the hip.
Just wanted to pass this info on to you & Colton.
Sending all my love and prayer to you and Colton.
Your cousin Erica

It was hard to read about Colton story and what happened to him, but I am happy to hear how brave and uplifting Colton has been through this whole process. I wish him the best in these hard times, and I will be checking his status periodically.

God Bless.

I have been following Colton's story. I cannot even imagine what it is like for him and his family to be in this situation. As much as we would like to know how things are going to work out for him and his family, God already knows how this works out. Life does bring change that we certainly never imagined. God's love remains constant. He is there to help us with the hard things and to restore in us a sense of hope and peace. I am praying for you all and hoping that your faith in God will continue to give you strength and courage for the challenges of each day. I am thankful for Colton's progress up to this point and am sure of much more to come. God bless you and those who are providing Colton's care.

A1C Read and family,

I was very shocked to hear about Colton's situation. My husband and I were both at tech school with Colton for quite a few months. Although we did not hang out in the same group of friends, when I saw him marching the B-shift squadron in to class, I could tell he was a good Airman and leader. I guess I always thought, as a military member, it somehow made us more invincible. But after reading Colton's story I realized it could have happened to any of us.

I hope as Colton recovers he will be comforted knowing there have been hundreds of Airmen praying for him. We all got his back. He is a brother in arms. Ask him if he remembers this: "Here we go again. Same old crap again. Marching down the avenue. A few more weeks and I'll be through. I won't have to look at you. You won't get to look at me. Ugly, ugly, ugly you. Sexy, sexy, sexy me!"

I pray that in the near future Colton will be marching down the avenue again. :)

God Bless,
All our prayers,

Alesa A (Barber) Riendeau, A1C USAF
Kansas Air National Guard
Imagery Analyst

I know of you through Erica, I am Trey's mom. My heart breaks for your family as you go through this. James 1:2-3 says Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. I have faced these trials myself in the past couple of months and I can tell you for true that God will sustain you through this if you just give it to him. Even when you feel like you are only holding on by a string and somebody has cut that string, Jesus will be there to catch you. Keep up the faith, he has taken all of you this far he will continue to see it through. know that you are in our prayers.

In Christ's amazing love
Kathy Bledsoe

A1C Colton, I've also been tracking your recovery status. I have also been praying for your recovery. I pray that the AF will keep you in. I'm happy to hear your family, friends, AF family, are with you. Were right here for you. Hang in there,

A1C Craven

My heart is breaking for you. But out of disaster I pray you will find hope. We wish you the best.

You have now a great opportunity to teach all of us about courage and faith and determination.

Contact political offices - CHECK!
Forwarding this story - CHECK!
Praying for e'one involved - CHECK!

May yall continue to gain strength & look up to The Master Physician who is so compassionate, caring & so totally in control of every fiber of our being.
He will NEVER let you down! (Psalm 23)

God bless.

Colton, I wanted to share with everyone a little more about you. I have enlisted hundred's of Airmen into this great Air Force but you my friend always stood out. You stepped up to join the Air Force at the first possible time in which you could enlist as a junior in high School. You pushed for your mom and dad to sign the parental consent forms and would not take no for an answer! From the time I met you in the Bonham High School with 2 other future Airmen up until today you always amaze me. I think back to how hard it was for you to enlist. You were in my DEP program for about 15 months and the ups and downs, changing of school's and the other things you endured. I remember you running at dep commanders calls at Veterans Park in Sherman, always trying to lead the way and setting the example. I remember the phone calls, always at strange times and on my day's off with questions about the Air Force. You always wanted to know more! Thanks for keeping me on my toes and together we learned more. You spent everyday at the Anytime Fitness Center preparing yourself for BMT and to be the best Airman possible. You strived to be the best even when odds were not in your favor. I know you will keep on fighting now. I am proud of you and I will pray for you daily. Jessica if you need anything you call me anytime, Colton knows my phoneis always on. You will always be an Airman no matter what and I hope that you can remain on our team for years to come. Thank you for being you A1C Colton Read.

I came to America to have freedom from religious prosecution. You are a defender of that freedom and my hero. I made mistake and did not go and serve my country USA. But I repaying by working in company that help defend USA from enemies. I wish you quick recovery. Please keep your chin up, no matter what happens G-D is with you and watching you. You are my HERO.

Colton, do not give up. Fight for all you hold dear. I have continued to update my work center here in England with your progress and we all pulling for you. We will all continue to pray for you and your family because you are also our family, the AF family!

Aw this is good news..eating is always a good thing...he has such good spirit in him, he fights like the warrior he is. I again send prayers to our Creator that he brings full healing to both Colton and you as a family. I will send cards when he is well enough to read them and you have room for them, and thank you so much for keeping us up to date please everyone in the family get rest, eat and have faith.

Please know that as a fellow Texan and resident of Arlington, I have been following this closely, anxious for updates and praying for Colton and his family.
I was happy to read that he is eating and recovering with his family by his side.
My children attended Sam Houston High School, my son is in the Air Force.

I will keep Colton in my prayers and will help spread the word on what we can do to change the laws so Colton and others in similar situations can have some kind of recourse.

Dear Colton and Jessica,

We a family from Australia that has been deeply touched by what has happened to you. We have been holding a prayer vigil for you and are amazed at your fortitude, spirit, convictions and perseverance in what we can only imagine as a surreal situation. May the Lord lift you, your wife and family up in the days to come and may you continue to be a shining example of American values and spirit that we so desperately need in the world. We hope and pray that the Air Force will allow you to work on in another capacity and be there for you.

May God Richly Bless You! Stay Strong!

May God be with you, stay strong through all of this. Its is sad to know that the military has not done the right thing like they should have.