Our History
Since its founding in 2015, Children of Fallen Heroes has proudly served over 14, 500 children, providing hope, healing, and opportunity to families of fallen heroes.
Our mission is to honor their legacy by offering resources, financial aid, and emotional support to children who have lost a parent in service.
Join us in making a difference for those who have given so much.
Ken Wasley's Personal Journey
Since its founding in 2015, Children of Fallen Heroes has proudly served over 14,500 children, providing hope, healing, and opportunity to the families of fallen military heroes, first responders, and communities in need. The organization’s mission is deeply personal to its founder, Ken Wasley, whose life has been shaped by a legacy of service, sacrifice, and resilience.
Ken’s journey began with the tragic loss of his father, Sergeant Michael Wasley, a member of the Gold Team of the U.S. Army Parachute Team. In 1973, Sergeant Wasley, along with fellow Gold Team members, lost his life in a devastating plane crash while serving his country. This moment forever changed Ken’s family and instilled in him a lifelong commitment to honoring the fallen and supporting their families.
Reflecting on his own childhood, Ken shares, “As a child, we didn’t have the kind of support to help us through the loss of a parent. Back then, we just didn’t know what resources or understanding could make a difference. Growing up without that support shaped me in ways I couldn’t fully understand until much later. I made a commitment to ensure that no child experiencing a similar loss would feel the way I did—isolated and unsupported. Knowing what I went through, I see the profound impact this kind of help could have made in my life, and I’m dedicated to providing that for children in need today.”
Through Children of Fallen Heroes, Ken hopes to turn pain into purpose, creating a lasting legacy of care and empowerment for the next generation.
Ken’s mother, originally from Japan, displayed extraordinary strength and resilience in the face of profound loss. After meeting Sergeant Michael Wasley at Camp Zama during his Vietnam War service, she built a life grounded in compassion, perseverance, and love. Her journey is a testament to the power of resilience and the enduring impact of selfless dedication to family and community.
Following her first husband’s passing, she remarried Sergeant Major James Walter Kraft, a decorated Vietnam War veteran honored with the Silver Star and two Bronze Stars for his bravery and service. Together, they built a family rooted in integrity, service, and perseverance—values that continue to guide and inspire.
A stepfather in every sense of the word, Sergeant Major Kraft embraced the role of father with unwavering dedication. For nearly 50 years, he has stood steadfastly by his wife’s side, embodying strength, love, and commitment. His remarkable legacy reflects the power of family and the profound impact of selfless devotion.
Ken’s sister, Sergeant Michael Wasley’s daughter, has shown quiet resilience after the heartbreaking loss of her son Dylan, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2020. She has found solace through Vaquero Horsemanship and Classical Riding, dedicating herself to her private work with horses through her Together Training program. Her journey reflects the strength and healing that Children of Fallen Heroes strives to inspire in all the families it supports.
The loss of Ken’s nephew Dylan and his grandfather, Sergeant Michael Wasley, was a deeply profound moment that became a cornerstone in expanding
Dylan, a gifted chef with a passion for cooking nurtured by his grandmother, and Sergeant Michael Wasley, a dedicated serviceman whose strength and sacrifice exemplified honor, continue to inspire everything we do. Their legacies will live on through the Children of Fallen Heroes Retreat and STEM+Arts Education Center, a transformative sanctuary located on 82 acres in Moore County, NC.
This dedicated space will provide healing, creativity, and growth for children of fallen heroes, foster kids, Title One students, and caregivers. While the Wasley family bloodline may end here, the spirits of Dylan and Sergeant Michael Wasley endure—woven into every act of service that touches lives and sparks hope.
Through serving others, we honor the sacrifices and legacies of Dylan, Sergeant Michael Wasley, and those who came before us. By carrying their light forward with love, compassion, and purpose, we build a legacy of hope that will inspire generations to come.
50 Years Later: A Sacred Return
March 8, 1973 – March 8, 2023
On the 50th anniversary of the tragic plane crash that took the lives of 14 members of the U.S. Army Golden Knights, Children of Fallen Heroes returned to the very field where it all happened.
There was no media. No fanfare. Just family.
The event was a private remembrance—organized to honor the fallen with dignity and love. The Silk Hope Fire Department quietly cleared the overgrown land, transforming it into a place of reverence—a true Field of Dreams.
Together, our CFH Parachute Team and the Golden Knights Tandem Team took to the skies. Paraclete Aviation generously donated the aircraft, and surviving family members made tandem jumps—joined by those who lost their fathers, grandfather, and fallen brothers in that very crash.
This was not for the cameras.
This was for the legacy.
A moment of healing. Of unity. Of grace rising from grief.
We didn’t do it for headlines.
We did it for the ones who never came home.
And for the families who will carry their names for generations.
We remember. We honor. We rise.
