My husband and I recently had the privilege of attending a Saber Six Foundation reunion event, and it was truly remarkable. Neither of us anticipated how much we would benefit from this experience—a weekend dedicated to healing and reconnection.
My husband formed deep bonds with these remarkable men, relationships that have left a lasting impact on them all. After a challenging 15 months in Afghanistan, it had been 16 years since many of them had seen each other. This reunion was an unforgettable experience.
I am immensely grateful to the Saber Six Foundation for facilitating this gathering and for their commitment to reminding these soldiers that they are not alone.
I’ve attended 2 events with this organization. The vision and intent is heartfelt and amazing. The camaraderie that is established and carried on from years past is amazing. I look forward to future events and seeing my brother and sisters again soon.
I'm a veteran and these events are critical to keeping former Soldiers connected, engaged and healthy. I've attended two events with Saber 6 and both times had an opportunity to reconnect with Soldiers and friends I haven't seen in years. The experience is rejuvenating and the bonds formed help prevent veteran suicide. I have noticed a uptick in communication and contact post event and this is the key to us taking care of each other. This veterans day we attended the North Texas vs Black Knights football game and tailgate, had dinner together, toured the Texas Motor Speedway and ended with a nature hike and talk.
A young nonprofit attempting to serve the mental health needs of the 800 paratroopers and their families associated with the 173rd 1-91 CA "Task Force Saber" deployment of 2007-08 in Afghanistan. The organization provides consulting, tools, and practices for veterans and their families to reverse the cycles of mental health struggles associated with their deployment BEFORE it becomes a crisis and intervention is required. The nonprofit tries, and has been very successful to date, with helping these veterans reverse course from decline to thriving.
This mission is absolutely vital.
The Saber Six Foundation is a beacon of hope and resilience for veterans, their families, and anyone grappling with post-traumatic stress or life's challenges no matter how those challenges is/are/did/were/continue/will be presented to you. The approach of transforming post-traumatic stress into growth is inspiring. Through the team's development of bringing people together, The people build a strong sense of purpose, belonging, and wellbeing, fostering healing and renewal.
Spending time together with people we served with in combat has provided a massive mental health boost for me and many others. I have new tools to master my emotional triggers, find new purpose in each phase of my life, connect with people who uplift me, and improve my well-being.
WOW! Awesome! Thats how I felt immediately when I was there with Veterans from 1-91 CAV. I had a common bond with the people I served with in the past at my unit in Germany, Iraq, and Afghanistan. People I so proudly served with for my country who I had not seen in a long time, sometimes felt like that seeing those people again was over and that everyone had to move on with the demands of life. Those unique experiences you have as a Veteran with others perhaps were long gone, I was starting to believe. However, thanks to Chris Kolenda with the Saber Six Foundation, I got to rekindle those strong feelings I had with those who I served in an environment of learning, bonding, and adventurous fun. White Water Rafting was an enriching experience I will remember with those I served with and the families who supported them. I became closer to myself as a Veteran and those who I knew only in uniform before. I strongly believe Veteran Foundations like this are perfect for helping Veterans and their families. I felt like a kid again going down the Ocoee like at a theme park for the first time. Exploring the Smokey Mountains, taking in the scenic views, and learning about some of the most historical battles of the Civil War was most intriguing. I want to do this every chance I get with those I had once served. Most important it inspires me to help others in my day-to-day life.
Experience the unparalleled dedication of the Saber Six Foundation, committed to the continual improvement of our veterans. Saber Six stands firmly behind the courageous members of TF Saber who demonstrated unwavering commitment in Afghanistan. For those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who returned, the Saber Six Foundation provides invaluable support. Through the foundation's pillars of Purpose, Belonging, and Well-Being, they are dedicated to transforming lives and fostering a sense of community among our veterans and members.
That 07’-08’ deployment left its mark on all of us and created some unbreakable bonds between leaders and soldiers and their families. I recently had the privilege of attending the first Saber Challenge event and I am so grateful that I did. Before that week in Tennessee I had felt for years that something were missing in my life, battled PTSD and struggled immensely in search of some purpose and even a sense of belonging to no avail. Chris Kolenda has brought purpose back into my life with his leadership, compassion and commitment to build a better future for his soldiers through mentorship, coaching and leading by example. He has taken the Army core values and principles and applied them in such a manner that I feel has pushed me into existence and my brothers and sisters into their existence by bringing us back together to strive to be Ever Better, together. I could write endlessly on my experiences over the week during Saber Challenge but I employ you all to come see for yourself and experience the weight many of us had lifted from our shoulders and the laughter that filled our hearts. I’ll be attending many more events from here on and hope to see new faces to grow with. Thank you Chris for showing us we are not alone. -KOON
This non-profit is creating Purpose, Belonging and Well-Being for veterans and their families at a time in veterans lives when they are at most risk. The organization is steeped in love and joy. I attended their reunion event in November 2023 and was blown away by the camaraderie and friendship. Saber Six Foundation truly created a special weekend where veterans relaxed in a beautiful location, spent time together sharing stories and connecting, where they were honored by marching in the Petaluma, CA's veterans day parade, and were able to build capacity by participating in a fitness event - a 25 mile bike ride! The organization was able to provide this incredible weekend at a nominal rate for veterans by creating impactful partnerships with local government, local businesses and Specialized bikes. I am excited to see the Saber Six Foundation grow and to positively affect many many more veterans far into the future.
Saber Six Foundation has to be one of the more unique organizations in the country today as the mission is to focus on the unit's soldier and their families from a specific time of Operation Enduring Freedom. Since my time with Saber Six I have seen the organization grow with committed members and help those in need of assistance. Saber Six Foundation has many programs that helps with PTS and those suffering from addiction. There are events that reconnecting troops from the unit such as rides across America and pedals and parachutes with more to follow. When talking to Chris about the Saber Six foundation and its importance you can hear his compassion towards helping the troops and their family that followed him into deployment while in Command.
When Chris Kolenda lead the way with his Honor Ride to honor our fallen service members and to show that he never forgot, was enough for me to follow him forward onto the Saber Six Foundation.
While there are many organizations that focus on the needs of veterans and their families, few carry the personal passion that I have seen Saber Six exhibit. I have had the opportunity to work closely with the organization's executive director and have met other members of the leadership team, including Saber Six founder Chris Kolenda. Chris' personal experience as a combat leader and his deep understanding of the needs of those who carry the scars - physical and emotional - of their service drives his commitment to make a lasting impact for living heroes, to honor the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice and the families who will never forget them. Everyone I have encountered at Saber Six lives out the organization's mission and vision with compassion and dedication to fulfilling the legacy of those whose service and sacrifice has purchased our freedom. It is a privilege to support this organization and partner in the impact they are making.
As a proud former paratrooper of 1-91 CAV, 173rd Airborne Brigade, I can honestly say that the Saber Six Foundation has done wonders for myself as well as many of my fellow paratroopers who served at the time under the command and leadership of COL (R) Chris Kolenda.
Chris Kolenda established the Saber Six Foundation to honor the lives and legacies of the Six Fallen Heroes of our deployment to Afghanistan in 2007-2008. The Saber Six Foundation supports the families of these Fallen Heroes, supports the surviving members of the unit who find themselves struggling with life right now and supports and promotes those who are thriving. The Saber Six Foundation works tirelessly to find unique ways to support and connect members of the unit with each other by offering programs of purpose, belonging and fitness.
Joel A. Herman SFC (R)
The Saber Six Foundation is an inspiration for all NPO's. Inspired by his six fallen paratrooper heroes in Afghanistan, Col. (Ret.) Chris Kolenda rode his bicycle 1700 miles from Nebraska to Arlington to pay his personal respects to his fallen in October 2022.
This inspired community support nationwide bringing veterans together long term to find their purpose, belonging and well-being to become an Ever Better Version of themselves.
From grass roots to greatness, Saber Six serves a population plagued with the effects of PTSD, by elevating joy with proven programs aimed at steering away from the drug and alcohol addictions that lead to suicide.
Purpose, Belonging, Well-Being through interactive mentorship is changing and saving lives daily.
As a professional in the field with experience with 100's of organizations, I can say this is a truly unique and effective model.
DeeDeeK 07/29/2024
Jackson, we are delighted you joined us. Your smile was ear to ear and we are grateful you are stepping up to volunteer with us as well as helping others'. Thank You! Dee Dee Kiesow Executive Director