Fallen Patriots Scholarship Recipient, Christopher Pallanes (left).
Christopher P. is the son of U.S. Navy Petty Officer Third Class Jason P.. He was only eight years old when his father lost his life in 2004 in a training accident. Christopher says that his father’s military service served a “larger purpose” and “helped many.” “In his death he paved the pathway for us, his children, to have a choice in what we want in our education which is really our lives. I believe it is a lesson I have not fully yet come to understand,” Christopher explained. As a Children of Fallen Patriots scholarship recipient, Christopher is currently enrolled at Azusa Pacific University and his goal is to become a Marketing Manager and then one day own a business of his own.
“Receiving this help from Fallen Patriots has been a blessing. The Fallen Patriots has not only helped as being the program that they are, but their associates and employees have been stellar trying to keep up with my busy life, let alone the other candidates of the program as well,” said Christopher.
Christopher’s advice for other students who have gone through a similar experience is to remember it is okay to grieve, but “remember that your person, mother, father, brother, sister all had goals and ambitions for you as well.”
“I find that being progressive in the desires they had for you to be successful in whatever field you go into has been an amazing remedy,” Christopher continued.
There are approximately 25,000 children who have lost an active-duty parent in the military over the last 35 years. The vision of Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation is to ensure that every such child receives all necessary college funding. Help support the mission here.