Wounded Blackwater contractor needs your support and prayers

**Sig_Fiend** · #1 08-03-2009, 01:19 PM

I'm posting this for Iraq Ninja over on M4C.net. Lets send our prayers and support everyone! This guy Nick is a real fighter, especially considering the dire situation he's in. Please keep this thread on topic and civil:

Hey all,
For those that haven't heard, we had a helicopter accident a couple of weeks ago that left one of my friends dead, and another severely injured. Below is our latest update from Nick's father. I know most of you don't know Nick, but he is a really great young guy that will need a ton of support in the coming months. Like his father, I would like to flood his room with cards, toys, pictures, flags, whatever you can think of to send. He is recovering from severe burns on 70% of his body, so don't send flowers as they could cause an infection which is his biggest worry. Tell your friends at work, church, neighbors, the guy at the liquor store( Nick likes vodka), cops, crackheads, everyone in your email list, and anyone that can spare a few minutes and a card telling Nick to get well. He is a Marine that served over here with the 5th Marine Regiment before he started contracting, so if you know any Marines, tell them too. At the bottom of the page is his hospital address.
Thanks,
Todd G

=======

Nick had surgery today. I spoke to him beforehand and he looked strong.. I was with him 9 hours later and he took it like a Marine. They took the burnt skin off his back then flipped him over gave him a traceodomy(sp) then removed his right leg between the angle and knee. Then his left arm between his elbow between his elbow and wrist (closer to the wrist), Then removed his fingers and thumb from his right hand. They think that the thumb muscle in that right hand is dead and may remove his right hand Thursday. I don't know how many of you guys are good at praying but it would be sooooooo good if his thumb muscle and partial right hand can be salvaged. That is based on mondern prosetics technology. I know this is sad news but the other option is death. If he makes it, he will be able to walk, talk, see, drive, f*ck, have a wife and kids.

Assuming Nick makes it there are things we will need rolling forward. Near term: lets get the cards rolling,lets fill his room up as I am taping them to his wall, irrevrent is fine if not preferred. Once he is brought out of the heavy drug phase which should be within in 2 weeks, visits from his boys would be good.

Thank you. Stay alert and safe.

Ed Leotti

Nick Leotti
Tampa General Hospital Burn ICU
Room 606
1 Tampa General Circle
Tampa, FL 33606

**ZX9RCAM** · #2 08-03-2009, 01:23 PM

Speechless......God Bless!

308nato · #3 08-03-2009, 09:53 PM

I will pray for Nick he is on my list.

**Sig_Fiend** · #4 08-06-2009, 08:24 PM

Come on people! Take just 5 minutes out of your day and write a letter or something please. It may not seem like much, but it adds up and I'm sure it will mean a lot to Nick receiving dozens if not hundreds of letters or even more.

ldcarson · #5 08-11-2009, 05:06 PM

I flew alot with those guys while there doing PRT work. My prayers go out to him and his family.

Ruger · #6 08-12-2009, 01:10 AM

You are in my prayers. My God be with you and you family through out this hard times.

**Sig_Fiend** · #7 08-30-2009, 05:46 PM

Update:

Some friends and family members got a website up for Nick to help coordinate the support:

CaringBridge / nickleotti / Welcome

**Texas1911** · #8 08-30-2009, 06:33 PM

Pretty hardcore guy. Definitely an American to look up to.

AusTex · #9 10-20-2009, 01:23 AM

Letter is in the mail. Hope he continues to see improvements.

KellyAsh · #10 10-26-2009, 02:40 AM

Is he still in room 606?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode