Afghanistan combat unit reunites in Colorado Springs during 9/11 25th anniversary

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - The Saber Six Foundation has helped reunite 16 combat veterans of Task Force Saber in Colorado Springs to help them find community and healing in the Rocky Mountains.

Care and Share CEO Nate Springer was one of the 800 soldiers deployed with Task Force Saber from 2007 to 2008. He said the 9/11 attacks profoundly impacted all of their lives, and the unit is still working through the trauma of what he called a particularly rough 450-day deployment.

Some of the visiting veterans haven't seen their combat mates since the deployment ended 19 years ago. Retired Colonel Christopher Kolenda founded the Saber Six Foundation in 2022 to honor his six paratrooper soldiers killed during the Task Force Saber deployment.

The organization's mission is to inspire healing and community by reuniting combat veterans with their mates. The non-profit has a week of activities planned for the 16 veterans on its Colorado retreat, from a moment of silence on top of Pikes Peak to breathing exercises and therapy services.