Armed Services HomeArmy Special Forces Capt. Randi Lee Horstman died during a routine parachute-drop training mission in the Republic of Korea, after landing in the Naktong River on Oct. 17, 1989.
Horstman’s death affected his family deeply. In need of assistance, the Horstman family turned to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF). But, like it has for other families of fallen Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps special operations personnel, SOWF was there for the Hortsman family.
“I’m not sure I would be living the life I am now had it not been for the help of the foundation,” said Horstman-Ingram during her speech at a SOWF ceremony in September 2012, twenty-three years later.
Because of SOWF, Horstman-Ingram was able to attend – debt free – the University of Alaska Fairbanks, earning two bachelor’s degrees.
Founded in 1980, SOWF provides full scholarship grants and educational and family counseling to the surviving children of special operations personnel who died in operational or training missions. The organization also offers immediate financial assistance to severely wounded special operations personnel and their families.
“The Special Operations Warrior Foundation does so much more than simply giving scholarships for college,” said Horstman-Ingram. “It is always encouraging to receive a birthday card or a newsletter and to see all the success stories from other Special Operations Warrior Foundation families. In a way, it is a nice reminder that I’m not alone.”
In 2011, SOWF provided $3.7 million in scholarship grants, financial aid and counseling to the families of fallen special-operations personnel. To date, more than 190 children of fallen special operations warriors have graduated from college because of the foundation.
In 2011, the foundation provided $3.7 million in scholarship grants, financial aid and counseling to the families of fallen special-operations personnel. To date, more than 190 children of fallen special operations warriors have graduated from college.
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation is one of the organizations supported by The Fund in Support of Our Troops, a Raytheon employee-sponsored, donor-advised fund that benefits nine armed services organizations.
To learn more about The Special Operations Warrior Foundation visit www.specialops.org.
To learn more about SVA visit www.studentveterans.org.