Support for Fighter Pilot Wade "Stab" Holmes & Family

Wade’s Story

In early August, Wade “Stab” Holmes — father, loving husband, fighter pilot and loyal friend — was diagnosed with Diffuse Midline Glioma. This is an incurable tumor that grows in the brain stem, making surgery almost impossible.

An attempt to remove the cancer was made but was unsuccessful.

Devastated by this news, his family and friends are earnestly and prayerfully searching for clinical trials and experimental treatments. While his cancer is currently incurable, they are holding onto faith.

Living the “Wingman” Motto

As one might expect, there are an overwhelming amount of expenses to cover during a medical emergency or long-lasting treatment like Wade’s: hospital stays, chemotherapy, PT, hotels, gas, groceries, childcare…the list is long.

So this is our opportunity to come together and truly live the “Wingman” motto — to never leave your wingman — and offer some financial assistance to Wade and his family in their time of need.

Why is the Donation Goal Only $1?

There is no monetary “goal” we are attempting to reach, as this will be an ongoing battle with many unknown costs. The family wants to ensure that all donors know the Holmes family is incredibly appreciative of any form of donation.

About the Holmes Family

If you know Wade, you know what a beacon of light he is. If you've never met Wade, here’s a little about him.

Wade married the love of his life, Leah Holmes (previously Canales), on June 4, 2022. They have four children: Emma (14), Abigal (12), Rose (11), and Josephine (2). As a very exciting addition, Wade and Leah are expecting their fifth addition to the family this month, a beautiful baby boy – the first boy in the family.

Before the diagnosis, Wade and the older girls were constantly playing games and finding ways to make life brighter every chance they got. Now, those games and memories mean even more today. One of the games is “Fish and Chips.” It involves a British man (Wade) looking to order fish and chips but being disappointed and tickling the restaurant workers! They even turned the computer game “Sneaky Sasquatch” into an actual game where the girls are sasquatches and Wade is the park ranger. Josephine (their youngest) and Wade can be found at the playground or Burke Lake to ride the train. But in a more comedic and Wade-like activity, they have a game called “sandwich,” where Wade wraps her up just like a sandwich, and the giggles and smiles ensue!

When asked to describe Wade, the family immediately calls him the missing puzzle piece, and I’m confident that’s how anyone would describe him.

When Wade isn't busy being the best father and husband in the world, you'll find him hard at work in the DC Air National Guard protecting the National Capital Region, where he serves as an F-16 Fighter Pilot and Instructor Pilot. He is a combat veteran with 1,000 F-16 hours, which includes 200 combat hours and live weapons employments against American enemies.

Most recently, Wade was selected to attend the United States Air Force Weapons School, an extremely prestigious honor he and his father would share.

Note from the Fundraiser

This GoFundMe has been set up on behalf of the 121st Fighter Squadron by Reed “Roller” Barrett, fellow fighter pilot and family friend. Please be assured that Wade, Leah, or an immediate family member will be added as the beneficiary of the fundraiser and will have access to all the funds everyone has graciously donated.