CJ Help A Soldier
April 12th, 2006 by CJ
Anthony, over at Soldier's Mind received a very important request yesterday.
Dear Friends:
There is a young soldier (a 23 year old Tennessee National Guardsman) named Sgt. Kevin Downs. He was blown out of his tank in Baghdad a year ago and left with no feet, mangled arms, and burns over 60% of his body. He is a Tennessee boy. Everyone else in the tank was killed. His condition is not good. A surgery to improve the use of fingers on one hand inadvertently caused previous skin grafts to break down, and the grafts on his legs are cracking as well and may require beginning over at square one. Kevin is tired and low in spirits. He needs our prayers and support through cards. Would you please send him a note or card to let him know you are thinking about him? Remember him in your prayers as well.
To get the address, visit Soldier's Mind. Stamps-$.37; envelope-$.15; piece of paper on which to write your note-$.01; a soldier in need of a morale boost receiving letters and cards of support from complete strangers-PRICELESS. Please help Anthony make SGT Downs' day brighter and send a letter.
Letter and card going out tomorrow.
Of course. Asked some friends to do so as well.
On my way to the site.
a letter will go out to him before the week is over..
By the way, there is even a page confirming more details about Kevin Downs at
snopes.com/in...er/downs.asp
And some weekly updates on his progress at at scadvocate.co...in_downs.htm
And a lot more details in a great letter at wivk.com/_dat...805Smith.pdf
Seems he's 21, not 23. I will send him a card from Southern France.
Picking up a card for him tomorrow. Thanks for the heads up!
Card going out in tomorrow's mail ~
I too will be sending out a letter. However, might I remind everyone that you will need a 39 cent stamp instead of a 37 cent stamp as the price just went up. I got back an under paid letter yesterday, so don't forget
Same here….card going out tomorrow.
CJ,
Thanks for telling us of this young man. I will send a card out right away. I am praying for his speedy recovery as well. May God Bless him as he recovers!!
I am sending a letter tomorrow….
Cards and letters of support will be going out tomorrow. Thank you for telling us about SGT Downs.
I just finished knitting a prayer blanket – it will go out to the SGT tomorrow – along with some cards.
I and several other contractors here have sent him cards and letters already. I had this posted on my blog a few days ago and have gotten a great responce from the people reading it htere as well. I have also posted this on several of the civilain contractor yahoo support group that I am a member of, …. the responce there is very cool. They are going to have to open another room just to handle his mail. That is the way I like to see a nation come together for the support of our guys and gals!!
Card will go out as soon as I am able to wipe the tears from my eyes.
Thank you to everyone willing to do this. I won't be around for a few days as we're enjoying our Spring Break. I may or may not post at night, but don't expect it.
Before I leave, this is a great time to reply to a question I was posed last week: How can you support soldiers and still oppose the war? Ladies and gentlemen, this post and what you are saying you will do is how. Send letters and cards of support to wounded soldiers, non wounded soldiers, and thank veterans for their service. Support for THEM and their sacrifices wherever they may be.
I'm blessed and feel supported just because you're willing to listen to a soldier's perspective. Yes, even those that disagree with me. Thank you too.
You are welcome CJ and thank you so much for taking the time to run this blog! I thoroughly enjoy it!
I sent a get well card out today to the Sgt. and I am praying for him and for all of our service men and women! You guys and gals are the best!!
I'll do it too.
Sent a card today. Thanks for letting us know about Sgt Downs.
As a vounteer at BAMC in San Antonio I have had the priveledge of getting to know Kevin first hand. I am a member of Delta Society of San Antonio. We have pet partners that visit at BAMC. While my Golden Retriever, Jazz, can't go into the burn unit, Kevin can come out and see her. He is an amazing young man who has a ton of courage. Obviously God has plans for Kevin or he wouldn't be here with us. I saw him on Easter and he looks really good. Please keep him in your prayers as he has a long and difficult road ahead of him. I have no doubt he will succeed! I am so grateful for soldiers lilke Kevin that keep our country safe. God bless all of them!
I went and saw Kevin this evening (4-18). He looked great. He is working hard at therapy and is looking forward to getting out of the hospital. He is an amazing young man who needs our prayers. Please let him know that you are thinking about him and supporting him through his ordeal with your prayers.