Airman Read has been in my prayers since I first learned about the botched operation.

I am disgusted that Hutchiston and Cornyn have not responded to any requests that you have sent their way and have contacted them to led them know how displeased I am.

I would like to let y'all know this one thing. I am retired in San Antonio not far from BAMC and would be more than willing to do whatever is needed if Airman Read is relocated to San Antonio.

The politicians might not take care of the military folks but we damn sure will take care of each other.

Just shoot me an e-mail

My heart is broken. You can count on my continous prayers. I will have mass offered in his name. I will continue to follow his situation. Let him know that there are people out there praying for him and care for him.

Read family,

Colton and I attend Sam Houston together his junior year, my senior year. I heard the news about Colton as I was coming home on leave and was sadden by the news. In high school Colton was the guy who stood out to me the most because he gave 110% all the time and after I graduate I knew Colton would always give his best to graduate and fulfill his dreams of joining the Air Force. I remember the day that he told me he was joining the Air Force just like it was yesterday because he was so determine to join and serve his country. As an Armed Forces member myself, I will do my best to help out in any way that I can. I’ve already connected my Senator and Congressman and I will make sure to tell the rest of my unit members and anyone else about Colton. My prayers and thoughts are with you guys all the time.


Colton,
Hang in there buddy, you are the strongest guy I know of and you’ll get through all of this. Keep up the determination that you had in high school and you’ll be back doing your job in the Air Force before you know it.

Gob Bless

Jessica and family;

I want you to know we are all pulling for you and Colton here in Texas. We are reaching out to everyone to add you to their prayer lists and are writing letters, too. Please know we are here in any capacity needed. Gran and Pop send their love, as we all do! God's blessing is upon you. Keep the faith! I know Colton is strong and God's hand is on him.

Much love!

Poor Colton. I check this every day and continue to pray for him and wish support and some good news for all of you. Thank you for the updates, even when they are painful to write. I hope Colton is doing better this morning and that some pain meds will help until his body can recuperate and be on its way toward healing. One day at a time, or one hour at a time for now. You will get there. Keep your head up and get some rest, best as you can.

I looked on the Travis/David Grant Medical Center home page under the News subheading for some sort of update on their investigation or accountability statement. Instead, they run a headline congratulating themselves on safety... Just a few days after Amn Read's debacle!

by 60th Aerospace Medicine Squadron

7/15/2009 - TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Wrapping up an intense week, the executive leadership of David Grant USAF Medical Center anxiously sat and waited, holding their collective breath.

After enduring an Occupational Safety and Health Administration outbrief where minutes seemed like hours, Peter Wilsey, OSHA Region IX team leader finally announced, "The team is recommending DGMC for 'Star' status."

Upon hearing these words, DGMC's leadership and staff erupted with excitement and applause, realizing the official announcement was something everyone had been preparing to hear since starting the journey of OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program more than two years ago.

DGMC joins an elite group of only 2,236 businesses out of more than 70,000 nationwide to have achieved this level of performance. Less than ten hospitals in all 50 states have been recommended for VPP "Star" status for excellence in safety and health.

"This is truly an outstanding accomplishment -- a journey that has taken us years to accomplish with the support and mentoring of so many individuals," said Dr. (Col.) Lee Payne, 60th Medical Group commander. "Our partnership with OSHA and VPP will benefit our military, civilian, contract and volunteer personnel as we work to further reduce our injury and illness rates as well as assist other agencies, organizations and military installations on their VPP journey."

VPP was developed in 1982 by OSHA for use in private industry to enhance workplace safety and health and reduce injuries and illnesses in the workplace. When a Department of Defense task force was looking for a way to reduce the number of industrial mishaps and reduce the cost of personnel injuries and equipment damage, VPP was the program of choice.

OSHA credits the program with saving 862 companies an estimated $1 billion since 1982. Conversely, preventable injuries and illnesses have cost DoD an estimated $10 to $21 billion annually according to the National Safety Council.

"We have seen an overall 40 percent decrease in injury and illness rates at DGMC since VPP was introduced," said Margaret Banks, 60th Medical Support Squadron's safety manager. "In addition to DGMC, our primary contractor, J&J Maintenance Inc., has seen a decrease of more than 70 percent in their rates since they partnered with us on the VPP journey," said Ms. Banks.

According to Ms. Banks, the process started in 2007 with an initial assessment of safety and health programs at DGMC covering the four elements of VPP: Management, leadership, commitment and employee involvement, worksite analysis, Hazard prevention and control, and Safety and health training. With a strong patient-safety culture in place, DGMC's leadership felt VPP had the potential of creating a "Culture of Continuous Safety" for patients and employees, both on- and off-duty.

"There was a large slate of compliance issues and documentation requirements that had to be met under VPP, including breaking down traditional barriers of how we look at safety and health between employees, contractors, the union and volunteers," explained Ms. Banks. "The final hurdle was our on-site program evaluation where a team of OSHA evaluators conducted staff interviews, workplace evaluations and documentation review to determine if DGMC's safety and health programs are deemed excellent and meet the VPP criteria."

"This is a major step in the right direction to obtaining full "Star" site status and is due to the cooperation and hard work of many individuals and companies," said Lt. Col. Brian Sassaman, 60th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight commander and VPP site champion. "We look forward to celebrating our success by having a flag raising ceremony later this year after we receive final approval from the national VPP office."

"However, we know our journey will continue as we strive for continuous improvement in our Safety and Health programs," explained Colonel Sassaman. "VPP offers additional opportunities to increase awareness of our safety and health culture throughout DGMC, protecting our ultimate resource - our people."

You and your whole family are in my prayers. I had gallbadder surgery on July 9, the same day as Airman Read and realize how fortunate I was for a successful outcome. I'm from Texas and will be contacting our senators and representatives to ask for more help for you. Stay strong!! God bless you!!

I am so outraged by this. Especially by the DGMC posting on the 15th. If only they cared for our soldiers, thee main reason they are supposed to be there, with the same dedication, this would never have happened. How do we get them focused on what is number one priority: Stellar care for our service members???

To the Read Family please know the entire DeMolay family (which includes the Stokes family) are praying for you all. We are also writting our representatives to let them know our feelings about the situation. May you be back in Texas real soon. I only met Colton one time but have not forgotten what a remarkable young man he is. I will be continually praying for him and all the family.

Melody Stokes

check this out....
the air force is likely watching...

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/01/usaf-blog-respo/

Airman Read, Please know that batttle buddies across the branches are hearing your story and praying for you. I will keep you in my heart and pray for your will to fight this battle. You are surrounded by those that love you -- and you will survive these days. God bless you and your loving family.

~SSG Brinkley, US Army Reserve

Jessica, Colton, and the rest of the Read family,
I am so happy to read of Colton's improvement and the possibility of his transfer to Texas at the end of the week! I think and pray for all of you daily. My friends and family all have you in their prayers also.
I did contact my congressman and senators. I received a phone call from a Mr. Hayes at Cong.Marchant's office and he assured me that they were keeping their eye on "the situation". I received a letter from Sen.Cornyn and this is what he said:

"Thank you for contacting me regarding the recent tragedy involving Airman Colton Read. My office often receives correspondence from constituents who are concerned about particular military personnel featured in the media. I am pleased to make inquiries on behalf of those servicemembers, but the Privacy Act of 1974 precludes the release of personal information regarding an individual without that individual's written authorization. If you know this particular servicemember or another servicemember who is having difficulties with a federal agency, please have him or her complete, sign, and return the enclosed form to ..."

Anyway, Reads, I had sent him the letter that you put on this website to send. I was glad to see that Sen. Hutchinson had at least written.
With Much prayer,
Martie Look