Children of Fallen Heroes supports military, special operations, first responders, foster kids, caregivers, and Title One Schools.

Discover What’s Possible

Howie Sanborn knows what can happen when someone opens the door to an opportunity you didn’t know existed.

Originally from Alton, New Hampshire, Howie served 15 years in the United States Army as an Airborne Ranger, including deployments to Iraq. His military career also took him to the U.S. Army Parachute Team, where he served as a parachute demonstrator.

Howie was also a competitive triathlete.

In 2012, while cycling with a teammate, Howie was struck by a distracted driver. The accident left him paralyzed from the waist down and changed the course of his life.

But it didn’t end his life as an athlete.

During rehabilitation, Howie was introduced to Dare2tri and discovered that adaptive sport offered a path back to competition. Just seven months after his injury, he returned to the starting line as a wheelchair triathlete.

That discovery would eventually take him around the world.

Howie became an elite U.S. para-triathlete, earning international victories and podium finishes and representing Team USA at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Today, Howie begins another chapter as a Children of Fallen Heroes Adaptive Athlete.

From Discovery to Possibility

Howie’s role with Children of Fallen Heroes goes far beyond representing CFH on the world stage.

He is joining our mission to help children and other athletes discover opportunities they may never have known existed.

A child can’t pursue a sport they’ve never experienced. An athlete facing a life-changing challenge may not know another path exists until someone shows them.

Sometimes one introduction, one mentor, or one opportunity can completely change what someone believes is possible.

Someone helped open that door for Howie.

Now, as a CFH Adaptive Athlete, Howie can help open it for the next generation.

Through mentorship, athlete experiences, Para & Adaptive Sports, and CFH discovery programs, Howie will share the lessons of military service, elite competition, teamwork, perseverance, and pursuing excellence at the highest level.

The Road to LA 2028

Howie’s journey isn’t finished.

Children of Fallen Heroes will stand behind Howie’s 2026–2028 Athlete Campaign as he trains, competes nationally and internationally, and pursues his goal of once again representing Team USA — this time at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.

Every competition along that road becomes more than a finish line.

It becomes another experience, another lesson, and another opportunity Howie can bring back to the children and athletes coming behind him.

Fuel the Journey. Expand the Impact.

Support for Howie’s 2026–2028 Athlete Campaign helps provide resources for elite training, specialized equipment, competition, travel, lodging, and international racing.

But this campaign is about more than funding races.

It’s about investing in an athlete who will use his journey to create opportunities for others.

His next mission isn’t only about where he finishes.

It’s about who he inspires along the way.