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General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Shifty on May 02, 2007, 08:02:58 AM

Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Shifty on May 02, 2007, 08:02:58 AM
Thomas was released from the hospital last Thursday. It was 80 days after losing his legs outside of Baghdad. I got an e-mail from his Physical Therapist telling me how they were progressing to push-ups in his PT last Thursday. Another soldier with similar wounds  demonstrated how to do them. He was told not to get discouraged if he couldn't do them. Sometimes it takes a month or two to get your strength and balance back after coming out of the hospital.

Thomas knocked out 17 in first attempt, rested a bit and did 20 more later. When his Physical Therapist got excited over his ability to do the push ups on his first try Thomas jokingly told him.....
"Hey Haji may have blown my legs off, but I'm still a stud."

Here are a couple of photos I got from his physical Therapist.
(http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g308/txflood77598/Thomas3.jpg)

(http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g308/txflood77598/Thomas2.jpg)

These photos say a lot about my sons determination. However they speak volumes about the dedicated medical professionals in the United States Armed Forces. From the medics in the field to the doctors and nurses in Iraq, Germany, and Texas, our family owes them much and we will  be forever in their debt.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: crockett on May 02, 2007, 08:07:27 AM
Nice to know he's coming along well and has a postive outlook. Tell him thanks for his service.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: redman555 on May 02, 2007, 08:11:49 AM
your son for me, he fough for our country
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: doobs on May 02, 2007, 08:13:54 AM
G-d Bless him,  glad to hear he is doin as well as could be.

Again me and my families many thanks to him.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Dichotomy on May 02, 2007, 08:18:33 AM
OUTSTANDING!!!!

WTG Thomas
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: allmetal on May 02, 2007, 08:18:49 AM
:aok  Tell him thanks from Canada as well!:aok
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Stoney74 on May 02, 2007, 08:47:29 AM
Those pictures are pretty damn motivating, Shifty.  You have to love his spirit.  Hope things continue to progress well.

Formerly Captain, USMC
Title: <S>
Post by: 4deck on May 02, 2007, 08:51:03 AM
WTG on your sons enthusiam. G,d bless him too, and all the boys over seas.

Cheers M8
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: -VM- on May 02, 2007, 09:11:47 AM
Impressive courage. Very Impressive.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Gaidin on May 02, 2007, 09:16:45 AM
I am glad he is doing so well.  Send him a salute from me.  

Gaidin
Former SGT, U.S. Army
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Eagler on May 02, 2007, 09:21:44 AM
wtg Thomas!
Keep up the good work sir
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: uberhun on May 02, 2007, 09:24:50 AM
I have nothing but respect and admiration for your Son's service to this country.
God Bless you and yours.......
Uber.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Maverick on May 02, 2007, 09:35:07 AM
I have no words or skill at words to add that are any better than those already posted. to you and your son. May his recovery be short and his ambitions high, his achievements are already in the stratosphere.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Phaser11 on May 02, 2007, 11:11:12 AM
WTFG

This is what I'll show my kids as an example of someone who never quits.

My problems don't seem like S... now.

Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Krusty on May 02, 2007, 11:18:22 AM
Don't know if you already covered this in the other thread, but will they be giving him prosthetics, or will he be using a chair? Just curious.

Glad to see he's already in PT!
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: 68Boomer on May 02, 2007, 11:31:41 AM
Obvious testiment to the "Never say Die" spirit of the American Fighting Man/Woman.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Ongurth on May 02, 2007, 11:46:50 AM
very impressive.



please tell him thank you for his service to this great nation!
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Shifty on May 02, 2007, 12:38:37 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Krusty
Don't know if you already covered this in the other thread, but will they be giving him prosthetics, or will he be using a chair? Just curious.

Glad to see he's already in PT!


Krusty,

Yes they will be giving him prosthetics. It's a long process for guys who have lost both legs above the knee as is the case with Thomas. Even having one knee is a huge advantage I'm told. However Thomas doesn't have that option.

They have already started working the right side for a prosthetic. It was actually the side with the most damage, the left side still needs to heal a bit more before working it.  Also I'm pretty sure even with todays advances he will still spend a lot of time in a chair. I think bilatteral above the knee injuries like his cannot spend as much time on their prosthetics, as the guys that still have knees. I could be wrong though, I'm heading back down to San Antonio this weekend. I'll PM you when I have a firm answer.

There's still a lot of work ahead for him before he walks again. I have every confidence he'll make it though.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Guppy35 on May 02, 2007, 12:40:12 PM
Heckuva kid you have their Shifty :)  

Thanks for the update
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: texasmom on May 02, 2007, 12:45:59 PM
Great job he's doing there. Stud indeed. :)
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Shuffler on May 02, 2007, 12:53:28 PM
Again I can not say it enough...... Thank Your Son for his service to our Country, also my Family Thanks you and the rest of your Family.

God Bless Them
<>
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: tedrbr on May 02, 2007, 01:06:17 PM
to your Son, Shifty.

With that kind of determination in so short a time, I think he will continue to overcome and excel.  I'm also thankful that he has apparently not run into some of the admin problems some soldiers are facing, and getting the first rate care that the medical personnel are well known for.  

- from a SSG and former 1st Cav Trooper
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Shifty on May 02, 2007, 01:19:31 PM
Quote
Originally posted by tedrbr
to your Son, Shifty.

With that kind of determination in so short a time, I think he will continue to overcome and excel.  I'm also thankful that he has apparently not run into some of the admin problems some soldiers are facing, and getting the first rate care that the medical personnel are well known for.  

- from a SSG and former 1st Cav Trooper


Tedrbr,

I've not wittnessed any big problems for anyone at BAMC. Now I have seen a couple of folks try and make big problems out of small problems. Of course a lot of this was due to stress and missunderstanding. I was down at BAMC with Thomas when the Walter Reed thing broke. If anything I saw the staff, civilians and military alike re-double their efforts to care for the wounded Soldiers, and Marines there.

Thomas was fortunate that being a 1st Cav Trooper Ft Hood is just a couple of hours down the road. Weekly 1st Cav Officers were there checking on the welfare of the CAV guys. I think both he our family is very fortunate he was shipped to BAMC. I don't think there could be a better facility for injuries like his.

Thank all of you for your well wishes.
To Tebrbr, and you other vets. and Thank You.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: allmetal on May 02, 2007, 01:32:07 PM
when he is able to walk with the prosthetics will he be able to return to the army in any kind of limited duty?
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Shifty on May 02, 2007, 01:35:47 PM
Quote
Originally posted by allmetal
when he is able to walk with the prosthetics will he be able to return to the army in any kind of limited duty?


Actually yes, they are trying to retain him and the other soldiers missing limbs. He hasn't made his mind up just yet.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Boozebag on May 02, 2007, 03:17:26 PM
Tuff kid. He has the gratitude and admiration of this former jarhead. We must support our troops. Freedom is by no means Free.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Skyfoxx on May 02, 2007, 03:35:03 PM
You have an amazing son there shifty. Truely inspiring.
What great spirit and determination he has.

All my best bud.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: yanksfan on May 02, 2007, 08:11:12 PM
It is not in the realm of my vocabulary to properly express the gratitude and admiration i feel in my heart for your brave son and all his fellow soldiers.

 So let me just say, the photos you have so graciously shared with us and all the updates you have given us, stand witness to your sons sence of duty, patriotism and heroism.

 He is a credit to you, your family, his unit, the united States Army and our great nation as a whole.  His determination to overcome and adapt in the face of such personal pain and loss is a shineing example of everything an American soldier should be.

Please give him my personal thanks.
From my family to yours, God bless you all.

                  Yanksfan       {Don}
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: EsX_Raptor on May 02, 2007, 08:17:24 PM
to him from all the way down here in Venezuela.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: eskimo2 on May 02, 2007, 08:37:17 PM
This civilian very humbly salutes Thomas.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Vudak on May 02, 2007, 08:48:14 PM
Many thanks to your son, Shifty.

He's got a sense of humor, he'll do fine :)
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: JB88 on May 02, 2007, 08:49:04 PM
wtg!

Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: E25280 on May 02, 2007, 09:21:45 PM
Glad to see he is doing well.  Prayers for his continued recovery.

Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: ghi on May 02, 2007, 10:08:43 PM
strong caracter and determination, like Douglas Bader of RAF

                                                      Salutte !
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: DiabloTX on May 02, 2007, 10:13:27 PM
You know how I feel Shifty.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

My brother's very serious about that offer BTW.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Max on May 02, 2007, 10:16:10 PM
God Bless to you and your son. His sacrifice and courage will serve to remind me for the remainder of my life, of those who walk the walk so as to preserve and protect the liberty and freedom we enjoy in America.

/O
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: fwembt on May 02, 2007, 10:19:15 PM
Wish him all the best. He deserves more recognition that we will ever be able to give him.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: USRanger on May 02, 2007, 10:48:38 PM
Damn proud of your boy.  Army Strong.
Title: Re: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Oldman731 on May 03, 2007, 07:31:18 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Shifty
These photos say a lot about my sons determination.

They say a lot about the parents who raised him, too.  You have a lot to be proud of, Shifty.

- oldman
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: storch on May 03, 2007, 07:47:00 AM
indeed OM   Thomas thank you for your service.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Shifty on May 03, 2007, 08:25:19 AM
Thanks all of you.

I'm heading back down to BAMC tommorow and I'll pass all of this on. I'm hoping to get him involved in AH once things calm down a bit.

Diablotx, Thank you for hosting the pics sir .

OM, like most fathers I feel I could have been a much better father, and look back on countless mistakes I made.

 I've said before I credit Thomas' grit to Thomas, and his military training. I was down there with him for six weeks during the really bad times. I don't know where his courage and strength came from, but he has way more than his old man is capable of.

Again thank all of you for your post and the support you've shown him since day one.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: FiLtH on May 03, 2007, 09:18:19 AM
I would think that the army should provide admin jobs and give priority to the recovered wounded.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Krusty on May 03, 2007, 09:22:08 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Shifty
I'm heading back down to BAMC tommorow and I'll pass all of this on. I'm hoping to get him involved in AH once things calm down a bit.


Ahhh... passing on addictions from father to son... what a lovely family tradition... :aok
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Maggie00 on May 03, 2007, 03:16:04 PM
Sounds like he's doing great!  Good luck on the rehabilitation!


-LT, USAF
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Bodhi on May 03, 2007, 03:34:57 PM
Big to your son Shifty.  Very glad to hear he is doing better.  Please give him my best wishes.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Scherf on May 03, 2007, 04:17:01 PM


"Still a stud" - words to live by.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: BaldEagl on May 03, 2007, 04:39:58 PM
His determination and attitude say a lot about you too.   to both of you.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: ColKLink on May 03, 2007, 04:42:16 PM
you son sir,....and you as a parent for being there for him ....nuthing but admiration, all the way around, semper fi.:aok
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Squire on May 03, 2007, 06:05:27 PM
Very glad to see he is coming along well. I know the first weeks are the toughest.
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: devild0g on May 03, 2007, 06:52:21 PM
Damn basterd, gota feel bad for him.... I bet he wants to go back and help his friend >.< and it must be annoying when you think of moving leg and realize nothing there to move, and damn both legs. That kid deserve's alot and I bet he wont let it hold him back. Blessing's to the family hope you find a way to help him with this large speed bump. Hopefully it wont mess up his image with the girls, he can just say im a little man But i got a big heart. God bless
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Gary26 on May 03, 2007, 07:51:36 PM
Shifty, some fireman on my department have family in Iraq right now. What we do for a living is like being a crossing gaurd compared to your son and his fellow soldier's
One of our squaddies is a Blackhawk pilot for medivac wing in Iraq. Please let your son know that my whole FD is pulling for him and that we thank him very much for his service.
This is a pic of my squadmate CJ flyin in "paradise".
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/988_1178239612_cj.jpg)
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Gary26 on May 03, 2007, 07:52:57 PM
GOD I FEEL STUPID.  I thought for sure i shrunk that picture down.:mad: :cry :furious
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Oldman731 on May 03, 2007, 08:02:09 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Gary26
GOD I FEEL STUPID.  I thought for sure i shrunk that picture down.:mad: :cry :furious

Don't feel stupid.  I can't even figure out how to post pictures.

Your message got across.  That's what counts.

- oldman
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Gary26 on May 03, 2007, 08:09:05 PM
OK! I did it right. Once again this is the picture of our squaddie CJ. If you see him in the arenas his name is CJJ76. He is in the VMF 441 on Knights.
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/988_1178240731_cj2.jpg)
Title: 80 days after the attack.
Post by: Shifty on May 03, 2007, 09:58:23 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Gary26
Shifty, some fireman on my department have family in Iraq right now. What we do for a living is like being a crossing gaurd compared to your son and his fellow soldier's


I dissagree, I have great respect for anybody that puts their life on the line for others. to you, your fellow fireman, their family members in Iraq and CJ as well.:aok