AFAF helps father reach son in coma Published May 1, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Larry Carpenter 92nd ARW Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- "Some things are so unexpected that no one is prepared for them." --Leo Rosten in Rome Wasn't Burned in a Day Tech Sgt. Gene Haas, 92nd Medical Group NCOIC of Medical supply knows this better than most. He received a life-changing phone call July 14 at 10:30 p.m. At that time, Sergeant Haas' son Michael was spending the summer with his mother in Wisconsin. The call was from his ex-wife notifying him that Michael had been in a horrific car accident and was in a medically induced coma. Sergeant Haas finally got to speak to his son's doctor and got a prognosis that no parent wants to hear. "The doctor told me that he wasn't sure if my son would even be alive when I got there," said Sergeant Haas. Sergeant Haas immediately called his supervisor, who in turn contacted the first sergeant to start the process of getting him to his son's side. "The first shirt met me in my office at around midnight to approve my emergency leave so I could get to my son," said Sergeant Haas. "Family in Texas purchased my original ticket up to Wisconsin, but from that point the first shirt and Della (Gooding) from the Airmen and Family Readiness Center got involved," said Sergeant Haas. "They provided me the funds to get back on my feet and cover the expenses from three weeks in Wisconsin." The Air Force Aid Society ensured that Sergeant Haas had enough money to cover food, bills and hotel while in Wisconsin because he had to take a leave of absence from his part-time job for the trip. "My finances were dwindling away so AFAS kept me afloat through a very turbulent time," said Sergeant Haas. Sergeant Haas asked the AFAS for help once again when he had to return to Wisconsin on a permissive temporary duty assignment after his son left the trauma center and was transferred to a different medical center. "This trip was so that I could work with the doctors and learn how to take care of a person with severe brain trauma," said Sergeant Haas. "AFAS paid for the tickets out there and money for housing, food and transportation." Once Sergeant Haas returned, he had to use AFAS for one last trip. This trip would allow him to travel to Wisconsin and bring his son home. "The AFAS purchased tickets for me, my son and a buddy of mine from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., who helped me escort my son back home," said Sergeant Haas. Sergeant Haas' son still has a way to go, but each day is a new day. Michael's school is allowing him to attend his 11th-grade classes on a special program; due to the brain trauma he received, his schoolwork is actually at a 6th or 7th grade level. The Air Force Assistance Fund raises funds for charitable affiliates that provide support to the Air Force family (active duty, retirees, reservists, guard and their dependents, including surviving spouses in need). The organizations supported are the Air Force Village Foundation, Air Force Aid Society, the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation and the Air Force Enlisted Village. "It is a great program to invest in; it's one of those benefits military members can receive in an emergency crisis," said Sergeant Haas. "You never know when one of your loved ones will be injured, in a coma or have chest tubes." "You never know if you will be able to see them again," said Sergeant Haas. "The AFAS eliminates concerns for financial need when you're taking care of a loved one." .