Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Shifty on February 09, 2007, 01:45:00 PM
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I posted earlier in the week about the soldier that got to my son Thomas, and stopped the bleeding. His name is SSGT Ramon Dias. Come to find out he is from the same county we live in. I want to give you an example of the type of young men we have in this country. SSGT Dias's mother called last night. She identified herself and told me her son was a good friend of Thomas and was very worried about him. She stated her son had not gotten an update on Thomas's condition and was very worried about him.
She had no idea nor did I at this point that it was her son that saved my son. She told me , that Ramon words to her were....
"Mom, Thomas has gotten me out of a couple of tough spots, in fact if it wasn't for Thomas I might not be talking to you right now."
I assured his mother that they were all taking care of each other over there, and to tell her son next time she spoke to him that Thomas was doing well and would pull through. I also told her that an unknown soldier had actually saved Thomas's life Monday.
Thirty minutes later I get another call from SSGT Dias's wife. She had no idea her mother in law had called and said she had just gotten off the phone with her husband in Baghdad. He was very worried about Thomas. She stated that he was feeling guilty because he wasn't sure he got the bleeding stopped in time! So come to find out it was SSGT Dias who saved my sons life. He never told his mother, he didn't even tell his wife. He just expressed his remorse that he didn't do enough. Thomas has never spoken of whatever he's done to save SSGT Ramon. So we've got two families that owe a lot to each other. I just thank God they've been there for each other when it counted.
This whole story has gotten me pretty emotional. SSGT Ramons wife sent me a picture of their their group taken at Christams in Baghdad. I want to share with you guys.
Thomas is in the front row center kneeling to his left standing next to him is SSGT Dias.
(http://www.geocities.com/johnvan52/T2.jpg)
In about two hours we are leaving for Brooks Army Medical Center. Thanks for all the support this week folks. I'll update you as soon as I'm back
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such bravery should not be overlooked from both these soldiers.
thanks for the news shifty.
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Wow, what a story....all my best Shifty, to you and yours.
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Shifty,
Words cannot express my feelings. Their Bravery is unreal!
God Bless you and your family.
gusman44
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Two outstanding individuals.
Thank the Good Lord we have them both. Thomas and SSgt Dias.
Hope all stay safe while serving our Country.
There are many many more like them I am sure in our Armed Services.
I do hope this ends soon.
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Amen to that Hajo.
It's amazing what we ask of our kids isn't it?
Was good talking to you Shifty. All the best to Thomas and your family. I get the impression that Thomas is a lot like his Dad. Funny how that works :)
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Shifty, that’s a great story bud. I am so proud of our armed forces. They are constantly put in impossible situations and always seem to pull through. The attitude and commitment that all these guys and gals show is amazing. Now if only their government was a little like them. I have many friends serving in Iraq. The armed forces are full of people like SSGT Dias and your son. I would like to see them all home safe…and soon! I’m pulling for your son and your whole family. I won’t forget his sacrifice.
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Shifty,
Both my wife and I work at the pentagon, She works for LTGEN Speaks (G8) and I work for the helicopter requirements section of the Navy. Every Month the Pentagon brings a group of soldiers from Walter Reed through the Pentagon and allows us to show our appreciation.
Please let us know if Thomas gets the chance to do this. My wife and I would be deeply Honored to thank your son and show our appreciation. Please extend to your son and to all of the other service men and women that you'll see ther that our prayers and our thanks are with them.
God bless to you and your family.
NAVCAD
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shifty. I'm glad your boy is recovering. all the best.
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I am so glad he is recovering. My best to him and the families. You will all be in my prayers!
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Sounds like your Christmas shopping list just got a little bit longer there my friend. I see a BBQ in your future when all those guys get home together seeing as how they live pretty close to you and all.
I hope your boys are doing well and that Thomas has a speedy recovery. Give him my best from a former Army Artilleryman from the first gulf war.
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God bless em!
Best Wishes to both familys.
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I'm moved to tears by the story. God bless them all indeed!!!
Tango, XO
412th FS Braunco Mustangs
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Originally posted by Shifty
This whole story has gotten me pretty emotional.
Imagine that. Us, too. Hang in there, and try your best to let your son know how much we all are behind him, and appreciate his sacrifice.
- oldman
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I only wish the best for both your son and his friend and all who serve over there for that matter. Some of us will never know that type of brotherhood, the brotherhood of Heroes! As in many battles that have come and gone and still to be fought, humans hear of this type of valor. I would like your son to know how much his sacrafice is appreciated to me and my family! Godspeed recovery for your son and the return of his friend!
<> Mark
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> To you Shifty and your Son from all the CHAWKS.
Our best wishes and Prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time.
To SSGT Ramon Dias... Our hat's off to you Son.:aok <>
4XTCH
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Originally posted by Oldman731
Imagine that. Us, too. Hang in there, and try your best to let your son know how much we all are behind him, and appreciate his sacrifice.
- oldman
You can say that again.
Hope all goes well with you and your family there Shifty. Best wishes and speedy recover to your son.
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Hope y'all are able to stay at the Fischer House. If you're not, it's well worth looking into. Anyone there will know what that is if you ask.
Superb young men there Shifty. Warmest regards to you & your family.
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You raised him right Shifty, you've got a boy to be damn proud of there.
and best wishes to all involved.
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The thoughts and prayers of my family are with you and yours Shifty. Thank your son for us and thank SSGT Dias for getting him home alive.
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I'm at such a loss for words, I actually had to sit and think awhile of what to type..... words mean so little when the sacrifice is so great. All the folks here at Aces High have said what they had to say so well... I'm at a loss as to what I could add. I agree with all they have said and wish to add my thoughts... Shifty... our deepest thanks to Thomas, Dias and the sacrifices that both they and their families endure for our safety and security. God Bless Our Troops!
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My best wishes to those brave young men and thier family
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Best wishes to both families, in fact my best wishes go to all families of servicemen and women because I'm sure there are many actions like this that we never hear of.
Shifty I think you will have an extended family from here on, and you can be proud of each of those brave boys.
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Shifty, when your boy has an semi-permanent address, post it. I think it'd be real nice if we sent him some letters. I lost a knee to an RPG over there in '03. The emotional trauma is just as bad as the physical, and I can attest first hand that letters of support, even from strangers, work as good as any medicine. I'd be honored to drop him a line and maybe make his day a little better. I'm damn proud of your son and wish him, you & yours the best.
Hooah, 'nuff said.
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Glad to hear your son is doing well Shifty, best wishes from my little corner of the world.
I'm reminded of something I read in a book once. Bud Anderson, commenting on a passage from a Kurt Vonnegut book, how war is fought by babies, instead of the 30+ year old men you see in the movies.
"But we did what had to be done. We did our duty. Our babies could again if they had to. The thought comforts, and at the same time chills."
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wow, two amazing guys
I hope Thomas is ok and recovers well,,,and thanks Dias!!!
This story really hit me hard,
please keep us posted as to how they are both doing if possible
You sound like a great Dad Shifty
~Salute~
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God Bless em 1 and all!!!!!
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Man, there’s such a fine line between a very rough but relatively happy outcome and an absolute tragedy. I hope his recovery and adjustment goes well. How much of his legs did he lose (above or below the knees)?
Even as a distant bystander this is a very emotional story; I can only imagine how hard this is for you.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you, your son, family and SSGT Dias.
“I don't know where they find these people, I'm just glad they do.” – Isn’t that the truth
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Wishing your son a speedy and full recovery!!!!
God Bless em all!
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Damn,
I’m just so proud of the men and women.
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Originally posted by Oldman731
Imagine that. Us, too. Hang in there, and try your best to let your son know how much we all are behind him, and appreciate his sacrifice.
- oldman
Well Said Oldman
When you talk to your son make sure he and his fellow Brave Men and Women
Now that we are more behind them then the NEWS will but on the TV.:aok
Crims
479th Raiders FG
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Originally posted by Oldman731
Imagine that. Us, too. Hang in there, and try your best to let your son know how much we all are behind him, and appreciate his sacrifice.
- oldman
here here best of luck to you and yours sir and i am keeping you all in my prayers
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Guys thanks for all the well wishes. I'm still here at Brooke Army Medical Center. Thomas is doing well and in great spirits. having his brother here as well has really lifted his spirits. There's always laughter when those two get together.
They have not yet been able to close his wounds because of the amount of debris pickrd up in the explosion. He's in the OR as I type this getting another wash out. These really knock the wind out of him, and I expect once they are able to close up the wounds he'll make real progress. He lost both legs above the knee. However I've already seen young men in much worse shape then Thomas.
Please think of and thank all these young warriors.
They may have fallen , but the spirit they display leaves no doubt they will stand again. For all the tragedy here, this is the most inspiring place I have ever been in my life.
Anybody wishing to write or send cards..........
SPC Thomas Vandeventer
Brooke Army Medical Center
MCHE-DN-4W
3851 Rodger Brooke Drive
Ft Sam Houston Tx 78233-6200
Heart felt Thanks agagain everyone.
Shifty
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I'll get right on it.
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All,
There isn't enough that can be said about our soldiers. On behalf of the 325th Checkertails VFG I send your families our warmest wishes. I pray for your son and a speedy recovery.
Cutt
325th Commanding
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Shifty, one of my all time favorite books is “Reach for the Sky”. It’s about Douglas Bader. It’s an incredibly inspirational book to any able bodied person; I can only imagine how it might read to a soldier in a similar physical situation. When the pace calms down you may want to pick up a copy for your son.
(http://img.shopping.com/cctool/PrdImg/images/pr/177X150/00/77/3f/6b/2f/2000644911.JPG)
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I'm glad you posted this Eskimo. I was thinking of getting him a book on Bader
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Hey John
Pass on my thoughts to him would you? I'll also send him a note shortly.
Christ, it all comes back to you just as you think you have buried it when I see what's going on with Thomas.
Graham
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Shifty, Sir.
The prayers of my family extend to yours and to that of SSGT Dias. My sons are too young for this round of chaos in Irag. I could only hope they would perform in a like manner exhibited by yours.
It is always in times of dire circumstance that that all that is good in man shines forth the brightest.
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Shifty,
Other than cards, notes, etc..., what does Thomas want, need, enjoy? I'd be happy to include what I can when we write.
our prayers
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Originally posted by Shifty
Guys thanks for all the well wishes. I'm still here at Brooke Army Medical Center. Thomas is doing well and in great spirits. having his brother here as well has really lifted his spirits. There's always laughter when those two get together.
They have not yet been able to close his wounds because of the amount of debris pickrd up in the explosion. He's in the OR as I type this getting another wash out. These really knock the wind out of him, and I expect once they are able to close up the wounds he'll make real progress. He lost both legs above the knee. However I've already seen young men in much worse shape then Thomas.
Please think of and thank all these young warriors.
They may have fallen , but the spirit they display leaves no doubt they will stand again. For all the tragedy here, this is the most inspiring place I have ever been in my life.
Anybody wishing to write or send cards..........
SPC Thomas Vandeventer
Brooke Army Medical Center
MCHE-DN-4W
3851 Rodger Brooke Drive
Ft Sam Houston Tx 78233-6200
Heart felt Thanks agagain everyone.
Shifty
I will write your son.
Shifty, be strong and if you do need a talk, feel free to call me (I'll pm you my #). I'm a good listener and supporter in times like this. Ask Mac, we had a few talks. Sometimes we went to the DA, and just typed or talked on vox where it was quiet. I'd like to think I made a friend out of those talks.
I'm proud of every Veteran I come across, as I myself am not one. However, I appreciate the damn fine job they do, and wish they were treated better sometimes than they are. Your son made a sacrifice, and for that I and other's should do the best we can to "lend assistance". That is the least I can do.
Jay "Karaya"
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Originally posted by USRanger
I lost a knee to an RPG over there in '03. The emotional trauma is just as bad as the physical, and I can attest first hand that letters of support, even from strangers, work as good as any medicine.
If we ever meet Ranger, don't you ever worry about "buying lunch", or any rounds. It'll be on me. I hope you have recovered to the best that you can.
I'm not a Veteran myself but am proud that you guys risk life and limb to make the United States the best damn Country on this Earth.
<>
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I see hes a 1st Cav soldier. Once Cav always Cav he has brothers for life. I did my time under the big patch. Live the Legend
90prf
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You could fill entire librarys with all the great things our soldiers do on a daily basis that you never hear about..
The fact these two fine young men have never chosen to talk about what they did for each other is a testament to their characters as individuals and as soldiers..
Shifty that was a very, very touching story and I wish nothing but the best and a speedy recovery for Thomas...
He is doing for us all that which not all can do for themselves, he is fighting for our way of life and our freedoms which we hold dear..
Please thank him for me and my family and let him know he will be in my thoughts and prayers. I cannot state in words the gratitude and admiration I have in my heart for all of these boys...
I will place Thomas and SSGT Diaz in my prayers
God Speed..
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> shifty and ur family