Fallen Hero Honor Ride

The Saber Six Foundation's Fallen Hero Honor Ride helps our heroes achieve their dreams.

What is the Fallen Hero Honor Ride?

The Fallen Hero Honor Ride is a 1700-mile bicycle journey to visit the graves of the six paratroopers from our unit who were killed in action in Afghanistan and raise funds for the Saber Six Foundation. The Ride starts in Spalding, Nebraska, on September 25, 2022, and finishes at Arlington National Cemetery on October 22, 2022.

Pfc Chris Pfeifer - Spalding, Nebraska, September 25, 2007

Sgt Adrian Hike - Carroll, Iowa, November 12, 2007

Spc Jacob Lowell - Elwood, Illinois, June 2, 2007

SSgt Ryan Fritsche - Hall, Indiana, July 27, 2007

Capt. Dave Boris - Minersville, Pennsylvania, November 12, 2007

Maj. Tom Bostick - Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, July 27, 2007

This short video will give you a good overview of the mission.

Who is Saber Six?

Saber Six has a dual meaning. First, it stands for the six paratroopers from Chris Kolenda's unit (1-91 CAV, 173rd Airborne, [also known as Task Force SABER]) who were killed in action during our 15-month Afghanistan deployment in 2007-8. Saber Six was also Chris's call sign in Afghanistan. TF SABER became the only unit in the history of the war to have motivated a large insurgent group to stop fighting and switch sides.

What happened in Afghanistan?

We fought hard and achieved unprecedented success (see Jake Tapper's book, The Outpost). Six of our paratroopers were killed in action and dozens wounded. Every one of the unit's 800 paratroopers has been affected deeply by the war. They served and sacrificed so Americans could pursue their dreams peacefully and safely.

Hear the inspiring stories of these six brave paratroopers in this video:

When and Where will the Ride take place?

Chris will begin the journey on September 25, 2022, from Spalding, Nebraska, and continue to each of the six graves ending in Arlington, Virginia, on October 22, 2022. You can follow Chris’ journey online here and on our Facebook page.

The stories of our Fallen Heroes are frozen in time. Their legacies, however, can live with your support and help us flatten the curve for The 800.

What is the Saber Six Foundation?

The Saber Six Foundation honors the memory of the six paratroopers from Chris’s unit who were killed in action in Afghanistan by 1) helping our unit’s veterans, families, and descendants achieve their dreams, and 2) supporting a Rotary Club of Milwaukee scholarship endowment for disadvantaged youth who aspire to public service.

The 800 paratroopers in our unit (The 800) are approaching the most dangerous periods of their lives. Their average age is between 35-45 years old, and they are entering the lowest point of happiness for most people, which bottoms out around age 47-48.

Over 7,000 American service members were killed in the post-9/11 wars. Over 30,000 have died by suicide -- that's four times higher than combat fatalities. Many others suffer substance abuse, broken relationships, depression, and other challenges.

It's not uncommon for veterans to point to their time at war as the happiest of their lives. They have a keen sense of belonging, common dangers, and the belief that the people around them have their backs. At ages 17 - 30, they are also at the top of the happiness curve.

Here's what happens: you leave the unit or the service and lose that belonging. You start to think that nobody gets me, nobody's got my back, nobody can help me. You feel alone in a crowded room. The problems begin here.

Some find new purpose and belonging -- their happiness curve is relatively flat. Many drift into mid-life crisis and struggle. Others go into free fall and are at high risk for the worst outcomes.

We want to flatten the curve for the 800 and their families. First, we want those struggling to get the support and guidance to bounce back stronger. We will assist those in free fall to get the care they need to lead healthy and happy lives. Finally, we want to help those thriving soar to new heights, and they'll inspire others.

Please consider making a gift in any amount that brings joy to you so that we can make sure their families and comrades are not left behind.

Our heroes were willing to die to protect our freedom and way of life. Their lives are worth living. Help our heroes build dreams to live for.

Ways to Be a Hero for our Heroes:

1. Join Chris for part (or all) of the ride (donate or raise $250 per day to join).

2. Sponsor Chris for $1 per mile ($1700) and get:

* A personalized Fallen Hero Honor Ride cycling jersey (see below),

* Personalized thank you video from Chris during the ride

3. Donate online here.

4. Send a check to The Saber Six Foundation, 2245 N Lake Drive, Milwaukee, WI, 53202.

5. Share this opportunity with your friends.

6. Designate the Chris Kolenda Saber Six Foundation as your Amazon Smile charity of choice.

Should I give?

Our paratroopers and their families deserve the opportunity to pursue their dreams. The VA and other organizations provide invaluable assistance to help our veterans survive and lead dignified lives. The Saber Six Foundation helps them and their families and descendants to thrive by providing support for their personal and professional growth.

Please consider making a gift in any amount that brings joy to you so that we can make sure their families and comrades are not left behind.

Thank you for being a Saber Six Foundation Supporter 

The Saber Six Foundation is a 501c3 tax-exempt public charity, EIN 87-2010682, please consider your employer matching donations with your gift.

Chris Kolenda

Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired)

Former Commander, 1-91 CAV, 173rd Airborne

Fund Officers:

Chris Doneski: Director

Joey Hutto: Director

David Roller: Board Legal Adviser

Nicole Kauss: Treasurer

Mary McCormick, Milwaukee Rotary Club Executive Director

Karen Seitz

Steven Church

Ted Kennedy

Theresa Glowicki

Nathan Springer

Karen Pfeifer

Dave Spencer

Larry Gonzales

Jay Pieri

Ian Folau

Geoff Dietrich

Larry Lunsford

Board of Advisors:

HON Jeh C. Johnson, former Secretary, Department of Homeland Security

HON Michele A. Flournoy, former Under Secretary of Defense; CEO, Westexec

Financial Advisor:

Vicky Staudinger

Cycling Coach:

Chuck Kyle

Corporate Sponsors:

Wheel & Sprocket

Borah Teamwear

Specialized Bicycle

Admired Leadership

Corporate Donors:

Green Bay Packers

Uline

Thank you to our Individual Sponsors ($1/mile; $1700)

Christine Smith

Alan Weiss

Ralph J. Schindler, Jr.

Linda Hartz

PAE

Geoff Dietrich

Robert and Julie Mandell

Barb Kauss

Lori Tompos

Dan Kolenda

Kate Shortall & Blackstone, Inc.

Erik Kober

Billy Lovett

Joe Warnagiris

Jacob Tapper

Thomas Hendrix

Millenium ($1000 +)

Michele Flournoy

Karen Seitz

Anonymous

Going the Distance ($455 +):

Donald Baldovin

Masuda Sultan

Robert Hutt

Timothy Breitbach

Marie Weiss

Timothy Eller

Wayne Bunch

Mark Chappel

Laura and Paul Kohler

Michael Urbaitis

THE Airborne CAV ($191+)

Lester Munson

David Roberts

Paul Miles

Andrew Bochman

Stephan Chevalier

Teodora Sadek

Tiffany Tinsey

Victor Pedraza

Marlene & Tom Battelle

Scott Heal

Larry Alexander

Rodney Coleman

Dave Roller

Sandra De Raffele

Sky Soldiers ($173)

Chris Anthony