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PAGE 16 WINGSPREADMAY 21, 2010101 CDOS from P7of traffic, bounced off a car and bowling-balled intothe group of bikes.Although all the riders were wearing full protectivegear, the impact was devastating. Reese waskilled instantly. A friend riding with them, KeithHalabert, was also killed.The family still had hope for Audra, though. She washooked up to life support, but was unconscious andunresponsive.“When I saw her it was the most disheartening look onher face I’ve ever seen,” Sergeant Lee said. “It was her,but it wasn’t her.”The family did everything they could to keep faith.They prayed for her daily and talked to her often, hopingsomething was getting through.“I had Nathanial record a message for his mom and Iplayed it over and over into her ear,” Sergeant Lee said.Six days later, after numerous tests and no responsefrom Audra, doctors informed the family they had toturn off life support.“The doctor was trying to get in the room to turn offthe machines but I wouldn’t let him,” Sergeant Lee said.“I didn’t want this to be the end.”When they turned the machines off, her eyes openeddue to the pressure of the machines no longer keepingthem closed. To me, it was like she was getting one lastlook before she left. I closed her eyes. It was the mostpainful thing I’ve ever experienced. The ignorance of oneman just devastated the lives of so many people.”“I had Nathanial record a messagefor his mom and I played it over andover into her ear.”Staff Sgt. Aron LeeSergeant Lee’s pain turned to anger.“I was angry at first,” he said. “I was angry that Godlet this happen. Then, the realization hit me that this wasridiculous. This was not me. This is not what Audrawould have wanted.”Sergeant Lee said the outpouring of love and supportfrom their Air Force family, specifically at Lackland, wasamazing and was a big reason they were able to keep ittogether during this tragedy.Slowly, as wounds began to heal a little, the Lee familystarted thinking about what they could do to turn thistragedy into something beautiful.The Lees started a nonprofit organization calledEvade411, with the goal being to empower victorythrough alcohol and drug education.“The 411 stands for free information, but it’s also thedate my sister passed,” Sergeant Lee said. “It’s all abouteducation. There are a lot people who don’t know aboutalcohol. They know the effects, but they don’t know theentire process from the time it hits your mouth until itleaves your body.”People can learn more about the organization andhow they can help educate others by visitingwww.evade411.com.Members of the Lee family have begun steps tobecome licensed drug and alcohol dependencycounselors.The Lee family is also actively involved in thecourt system, offering classes to people who want tomake better decisions.Additionally, Sergeant Lee will be giving briefings atLackland and other locations throughout the 101 CriticalDays of Summer so people can put a face with the statisticsand realize the inherent dangers of alcohol.“As I sat in that first safety briefing here andlooked around, I thought of how much different itwould be if there was a face up there,” SergeantLee said. “When you have a passionate person upthere telling their story with pictures and how itaffected them, it becomes very real.”Now, when Audra’s and Reese’s birthdays roll aroundeach year, the Lees gather around the graves with 12balloons. Nathanial holds them and says a message inhis heart to his mom before letting them go one by one,each with a thought.“In my heart, I can see her getting her balloonsand smiling,” Sergeant Lee said. “This is what shewould have wanted. We’re taking back everythingthe drunk driver stole from us by helping educateothers. Together, with the help of God and our AirForce family, we are taking a negative and turningit into a positive.”