Ceremony Honors Children of Fallen Soldiers

Fort Carson honored the children of fallen soldiers in a ceremony Monday morning.

Dozens of families gathered at the Fallen Heroes Family Center to remember their loved ones and support other families.

The center opened last October for Fort Carson families, and many children call it their “home away from home.”

The father of Wyatt Aschan, 14, Morgan Aschan, 12, and Lauren Hale, 17, was killed on July 4, 2011.

They remembered their father, Maj. Shawn Aschan, as a selfless man who always made everyone around him laugh.

Wyatt had his arm wrapped around his younger brother during the ceremony at the Mountain Post. He said the two have gotten even closer since their father passed away.

Army officials said the family center is an important way for survivors to help survivors. It was built to resemble a home with a kitchen, playroom and open spaces for families to talk to each other.

Hale said she has connected with other families who have lost loved ones. She held back tears as her younger brother Wyatt comforted her.

“Family is forever,” said Hale. “You can never replace family.”