JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
One young Team Andrews member met a scary situation with bravery when his father collapsed at their home.
Käal Mocanu, son of Mr. Brandon and Tech. Sgt. Amanda Mocanu, was released from school early on Feb. 26 and brought a friend to his house. Käal was playing with his friend when his dad called for him, said Tech. Sgt. Mocanu, who was at work at the time.
"I wasn't feeling like myself; the whole world was spinning," said Mr. Mocanu, a retired Air Force master sergeant. "I told Käal to run to the neighbor's house to get help."
Even at the age of 8, Käal knew he couldn't let his emotions get the best of him and he had to remain calm.
"I was pretty surprised and scared," said Käal. "I felt like I had to be responsible to make sure 911 was called."
Käal, without hesitation, took his brother and friend to the neighbors to get help, said Tech. Sgt. Mocanu.
"When the neighbors got to the house, Brandon was lying on the floor but still conscious," said Tech. Sgt. Mocanu.
The neighbors called 911 and kept the kids at their house to make sure they were safe while Mr. Mocanu was in the hospital.
"I felt a little better knowing my dad was at the hospital," said Käal. "I still felt bad because I just wanted him home."
Tech. Sgt. Mocanu, Military & Family Support Center readiness NCO, received a phone call notifying her that Mr. Mocanu was in the hospital.
"Everyone in my office came together and supported me," said Tech. Sgt. Mocanu. "I felt the Air Force family concept was personified."
The doctor said Mr. Mocanu would be ok and that he suffered a severe case of vertigo.
"I felt calm when my mom told me my dad would be ok," said Käal. "I felt like I was really brave when my mom and all my family members told me I did the right thing."
Tech. Sgt. Mocanu's co-workers planned something special for Käal, to counteract the trauma of the event and reinforce Käal's bravery.
"My co-worker, Shelly Walker, said we needed to do something to recognize Käal's bravery," said Tech. Sgt. Mocanu. "We want to shed a positive light on this event, to let him know he did the right thing."
Käal received a hero award at the Military & Family Support Center here on April 24, 2014.
After Käal's swift reaction to help his father that day, Mr. Mocanu said he was over-joyed to know his son will be a man of action, instead of sitting and waiting for something to happen.
"It comforts me to know that he will act instead of worry," said Mr. Mocanu. "That he is confident in himself to do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done."