Group offers hope for child of fallen soldier

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. –It’s an organization that cares for children of fallen soldiers. Angels of America’s Fallen provides support for kids in Colorado Springs.

The group supports 6-year-old Ryan Rudzinski, who lost his dad in the military in 2009. Now, Ryan will bear that sacrifice for the rest of his life.

Ryan doesn’t seem to want attention, but his captivating personality instantly drew us in. It’s something about his curiosity and his sense of imagination – even with our camera.

Ryan channels all his energy at Donna’s Dolphins. His swim lessons are sponsored by Angels of America’s Fallen, a nonprofit that sponsors activities for children of veterans who’ve died.

Reporter: “Why do you like swimming so much?”
Ryan: “Because I want to be a scuba diver.”
Reporter: “And why do you want to be a scuba diver?”
Ryan: “Because I want to be like my dad, because he passed away.”

Ryan was only 13 months old when his dad died.

“Chris died on October 16th of 2009,” said Ryan’s mother Caroline Rudzinski, “and he was stationed in Afghanistan, and he ran over an IED that day…If I didn’t have Ryan, I don’t know what I would have done.”

The Rudzinskis got connected with Angels.

“So it’s really not us blessing them, it’s them turning around and blessing us and just letting us be part of their story,” said Angels of America’s Fallen co-founder Shelli Lewis.

Through it all, it’s meant an opportunity for hope and healing. It’s keeping this family even closer and in loving memory of their hero.

“Out of nowhere, he says ‘I miss Daddy.’ And I’m like ‘honey, me too,'” added Rudzinski.

Gone, but not forgotten.

Angels of America’s Fallen is all funded by private donations. The Chapel Hills Mall has a kiosk where you can donate over the holidays.