Scholar Highlight: Ashlyn Engler

Ashlyn Engler is the daughter of Major Steven James Engler, who passed away in 2011 due to a service‑connected illness. When asked what her father’s military service meant to her, she says, “His military service was the ultimate sacrifice, not only for our country but for his family as well. I know that this country meant everything to my dad, and he put his heart and soul into serving and moving up the ranks for over twenty years. I do not take his sacrifice lightly. His courage and determination as a father and as a Major are what drive me to become a daughter he can be proud of.” Ashlyn adds, “I have heard others describe my dad as a genuine, loving, country‑first man. He always made sure that family came first, but his service to our country was right up there with us. Socially, he was a bit more reserved, but once he got to know you, he was one of the funniest people you’d ever meet. He was definitely a tinkerer, he loved fixing up cars and reselling them.”

With the support of Fallen Patriots, Ashlyn graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Business Administration and has recently joined the CFP team as a Development Analyst. She hopes to stay in the military and scholarship field, as she feels it is her duty to contribute to the success of children who share the experience of losing a parent in the military. When reflecting on what her father would be most proud of, she shares, “I hope my dad would be proud of my drive to be more. He gave me the tools to pursue my dreams, and I do my best to honor that. I hold many of my personal morals and philosophies to the standard of the type of person he was, and I hope that would make him proud.”

When asked how receiving a scholarship from Fallen Patriots impacted her college journey, Ashlyn says, “Children of Fallen Patriots has given me the peace of mind that there is a team of people in my corner who want to help me succeed as a scholar. I have made so many connections with mentors, friends, and professionals that I still keep in contact with.”

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.