Nightingale 0 #1 June 29, 2006 who comes home seriously injured? A friend of mine came home from Iraq yesterday. A few days ago, the vehicle he was in encountered an IED and everyone in the vehicle was seriously burned. My friend was burned on his hands and face, and is currently on a ventilator, conscious but sedated. He was airlifted to Germany and from there, home to the US, to Texas. They're expecting it to take between three to six months before he can leave the burn center and go home. I can't call him, because he can't talk because of the ventilator, so I was going to send him a card. I sat down to write it out, and realized I have no clue what to say. "Get well soon" sounds so stupid... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
namgrunt 0 #2 June 29, 2006 just let hin know you are thinking of him wish him a speedy recovery thank him for his service ..59 YEARS,OVERWEIGHT,BALDIND,X-GRUNT LAST MIL. JUMP VIET-NAM(QUAN-TRI) www.dzmemories.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kbordson 8 #3 June 29, 2006 Visit him and tell him you were thinking of him and his sacrifices.... tell him Thanks.... Or just visit him and give him a hug. (or ask Max-Gawain what he appreciated most) Karen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #4 June 29, 2006 I think you can say "get well soon" but in a more eloquent way. You've got a gift for expression, Kris... it's just a matter of deciding what you want to say. If it were my friend, I'd write about how I was thinking of him, and sending him positive thoughts for recovery. I'd probably acknowledge the challenge he's about to face, but offer up any kind of support I could (specifics, if possible). I'd say I'm sorry it happened but that I was very proud of him for serving. But that's just me. Your words are in your heart."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydemon2 0 #5 June 29, 2006 was he a jumper? Id go with what grunt said offer support and thanksBeauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clean to the bone! I like to start my day off with a little Ray of Soulshine™!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #6 June 29, 2006 It depends - how is his sense of humor?I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #7 June 29, 2006 Let him know you appreciate him putting his butt on the line and serving our country. Also find out if there is anything that he needs that is not available to him.. just little nice things that make life better when you are in the hospital. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #8 June 29, 2006 QuoteVisit him and tell him you were thinking of him and his sacrifices.... tell him Thanks.... Or just visit him and give him a hug. (or ask Max-Gawain what he appreciated most) Karen I'd love to visit, but he's in Texas and I'm in California. I can't afford a plane ticket or hotel right now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #9 June 29, 2006 Quotewas he a jumper? Id go with what grunt said offer support and thanks He wants to jump but hasn't yet. He and his wife were planning on doing tandem jumps when he got home. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #10 June 29, 2006 QuoteIt depends - how is his sense of humor? He's got a great sense of humor, but I don't know his state of mind at the moment. I haven't been able to talk to him. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #11 June 29, 2006 Yeah.............just thank him for doing his job and let him know he is appreciated. That goes a REALLY long way. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites turtlespeed 226 #12 June 29, 2006 QuoteQuoteIt depends - how is his sense of humor? He's got a great sense of humor, but I don't know his state of mind at the moment. I haven't been able to talk to him. Show him this site . . . and see our support.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites gemini 0 #13 June 29, 2006 Quote.............just thank him for doing his job and let him know he is appreciated. That goes a REALLY long way. Amen to that, and that you've got a cold beer waiting for him! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ryanocerous 0 #14 June 29, 2006 Quotejust let hin know you are thinking of him wish him a speedy recovery thank him for his service .. That's right on, just let him now you support what he's doing and thank him for that. So many people are so uneasy about what to say they don't say anything, and that's horrible. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites mjosparky 4 #15 June 29, 2006 Thank you!My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites slug 1 #16 June 29, 2006 QuoteQuotewas he a jumper? Id go with what grunt said offer support and thanks He wants to jump but hasn't yet. He and his wife were planning on doing tandem jumps when he got home. Maybe send his wife something also, Their in this together and this could be the start of a very long journey. Robert Aka R.I.P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites gofast_ER 0 #17 June 29, 2006 If it were one of my friends I would probably just say something like...."well I bet next time you'll look out a little better for those ieds wont you?" But...I can be quite unsensitive (espically at work) and my friends know this.I may not agree with what you have to say but i'll defend to the death your right to say it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kenneth21441 0 #18 June 29, 2006 Sorry to hear about this. Best thing send him a card that you are thinking of him and thanking him for his service. Send him something that is special between you two: be it a stuffed teddy bear or just a photo. I would stay away from photos of his face etc for now until he gets over his wounds as the physical part is the eastest part to handle but the mental part is the hardest. Let him know that you are there for him and that you can not wait to see him so have him get back soon. Maybe set a date to go out to eat.? Hope this helps.Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Gawain 0 #19 June 29, 2006 Quotewho comes home seriously injured? Just about anything encouraging is appropriate. It helps keep one's mind in a forward looking orientation, which also helps with the healing process (personal experience). Also from my personal experience, I liked receiving somewhat humorous cards, with notes that gave me news about how the sender was as well. If you plan to visit, let him know, and then follow through. First, you might want to check with his Ward about visitation rules, since burn units usually are very isolationist to protect their patients from infections. One thing to be confident with, his care will be second to none, and I express all my hope for a speedy recovery.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sickandtwisted 0 #20 June 29, 2006 Quote"Get well soon" sounds so stupid... Not when it is genuine. Any contact with home is greatly appreciated. Let him know that the skydiving community is behind him & wishing him a speedy recovery.Skymama stalker #69!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites dancingdolphin 0 #21 June 29, 2006 So sorry to hear of your friend. I agree with all Gawain said. Also , in time (when he has better use of his hands), texts are good...can send regular support and jokes!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites masterrig 1 #22 June 29, 2006 Just say thank you. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites warpedskydiver 0 #23 June 29, 2006 Say thank you, and tell him what you think of him. I was in the hospital with another guy, and he looked really bad. His gf seemed to cheer him up greatly by looking under the sheets and saying with a big smile on her face... "I am damned glad they didn't hurt your best part!" He was laughing really loudly when the nurses came in to calm him down. I often wondered why humor makes it so easy to forget how bad things are. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites pajarito 0 #24 June 29, 2006 QuoteI can't call him, because he can't talk because of the ventilator, so I was going to send him a card. I sat down to write it out, and realized I have no clue what to say. "Get well soon" sounds so stupid... "I'd like to express my great appreciation for the sacrifice you've made for all of us. I'd also like to convey my sympathy for the suffering you continue to endure. It is only by the actions of people such as yourself that we all enjoy the freedoms that we do. Without you and others like you, we would not exist as a free nation. I hope your recovery is speedy and know that many of us are praying for and thinking of you often." Maybe something like that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
turtlespeed 226 #12 June 29, 2006 QuoteQuoteIt depends - how is his sense of humor? He's got a great sense of humor, but I don't know his state of mind at the moment. I haven't been able to talk to him. Show him this site . . . and see our support.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gemini 0 #13 June 29, 2006 Quote.............just thank him for doing his job and let him know he is appreciated. That goes a REALLY long way. Amen to that, and that you've got a cold beer waiting for him! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryanocerous 0 #14 June 29, 2006 Quotejust let hin know you are thinking of him wish him a speedy recovery thank him for his service .. That's right on, just let him now you support what he's doing and thank him for that. So many people are so uneasy about what to say they don't say anything, and that's horrible. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #15 June 29, 2006 Thank you!My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slug 1 #16 June 29, 2006 QuoteQuotewas he a jumper? Id go with what grunt said offer support and thanks He wants to jump but hasn't yet. He and his wife were planning on doing tandem jumps when he got home. Maybe send his wife something also, Their in this together and this could be the start of a very long journey. Robert Aka R.I.P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gofast_ER 0 #17 June 29, 2006 If it were one of my friends I would probably just say something like...."well I bet next time you'll look out a little better for those ieds wont you?" But...I can be quite unsensitive (espically at work) and my friends know this.I may not agree with what you have to say but i'll defend to the death your right to say it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kenneth21441 0 #18 June 29, 2006 Sorry to hear about this. Best thing send him a card that you are thinking of him and thanking him for his service. Send him something that is special between you two: be it a stuffed teddy bear or just a photo. I would stay away from photos of his face etc for now until he gets over his wounds as the physical part is the eastest part to handle but the mental part is the hardest. Let him know that you are there for him and that you can not wait to see him so have him get back soon. Maybe set a date to go out to eat.? Hope this helps.Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #19 June 29, 2006 Quotewho comes home seriously injured? Just about anything encouraging is appropriate. It helps keep one's mind in a forward looking orientation, which also helps with the healing process (personal experience). Also from my personal experience, I liked receiving somewhat humorous cards, with notes that gave me news about how the sender was as well. If you plan to visit, let him know, and then follow through. First, you might want to check with his Ward about visitation rules, since burn units usually are very isolationist to protect their patients from infections. One thing to be confident with, his care will be second to none, and I express all my hope for a speedy recovery.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sickandtwisted 0 #20 June 29, 2006 Quote"Get well soon" sounds so stupid... Not when it is genuine. Any contact with home is greatly appreciated. Let him know that the skydiving community is behind him & wishing him a speedy recovery.Skymama stalker #69!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dancingdolphin 0 #21 June 29, 2006 So sorry to hear of your friend. I agree with all Gawain said. Also , in time (when he has better use of his hands), texts are good...can send regular support and jokes!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #22 June 29, 2006 Just say thank you. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #23 June 29, 2006 Say thank you, and tell him what you think of him. I was in the hospital with another guy, and he looked really bad. His gf seemed to cheer him up greatly by looking under the sheets and saying with a big smile on her face... "I am damned glad they didn't hurt your best part!" He was laughing really loudly when the nurses came in to calm him down. I often wondered why humor makes it so easy to forget how bad things are. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pajarito 0 #24 June 29, 2006 QuoteI can't call him, because he can't talk because of the ventilator, so I was going to send him a card. I sat down to write it out, and realized I have no clue what to say. "Get well soon" sounds so stupid... "I'd like to express my great appreciation for the sacrifice you've made for all of us. I'd also like to convey my sympathy for the suffering you continue to endure. It is only by the actions of people such as yourself that we all enjoy the freedoms that we do. Without you and others like you, we would not exist as a free nation. I hope your recovery is speedy and know that many of us are praying for and thinking of you often." Maybe something like that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
