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Men Grieving the Loss of a Fallen Service Member Come Together to Heal in Montana

The Five-Day Retreat Gives Grieving Men the Opportunity to Connect with Others Who Understand Their Grief

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 11, 2018

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) will host surviving fathers, brothers, adult children and battle buddies of America’s fallen military heroes at a healing retreat in West Yellowstone, Montana from September 12-16. The five-day retreat will give participants the opportunity to step away from the stressors of daily life in the serenity of the Montana outdoors, where they can focus on themselves, honor their loved ones and connect with other men who understand their grief.

The retreat, made possible by the generous support of Trout Unlimited, will take place at Parade Rest Ranch and offer outdoor activities that build connection and honor lost loved ones. Throughout the five days, participants will talk about their loss and reshape their individual grief journeys.

“The Montana retreat is a special opportunity for men in our TAPS family to find hope and healing,” said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS President and Founder and a 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. “Men often grieve differently. TAPS creates an environment for men to be open and share the emotion of their grief journey with others who understand. Knowing they are not alone allows an opportunity for growth and healing.”

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

Friday, Sept. 14 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. – interviews available with TAPS staff and surviving family members during a fly-fishing activity on the Madison River

Friday, Sept. 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – interviews available with TAPS staff and surviving family members during a trail ride at Parade Rest Ranch

Saturday, Sept. 15 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. – interviews available with TAPS staff and surviving family members during breakfast at Parade Rest Ranch

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS:

  • Gabriel Rao, TAPS Community Engagement Manager and surviving brother of Army Sgt. Elijah Rao
  • Wayne Telford, surviving father of Air Force Tech Sgt. Brooke Caffrey
  • Frank Buoniconti, surviving father of Army CW3 Frank Buoniconti  
  • Brian Martin, surviving father of Army Spc. Wyatt Martin

MEDIA RSVP REQUESTED:

Please contact Rita Barry-Corke at media@taps.org or (860) 304-1807 or Victoria Leoni at (571) 385-2570 to arrange interviews with TAPS staff or participants or attend any part of the retreat.

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ABOUT TAPS

The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the leading national organization providing compassionate care and survivor support services for the families of America’s fallen military heroes. Since 1994, TAPS has offered support to more than 80,000 survivors of fallen military in the form of peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, grief seminars and retreats for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, case work assistance, connections to community-based care, online and in-person support groups and a 24/7 resource and information helpline for all who have been affected by a death in the Armed Forces. Services are provided free of charge. For more information go to www.taps.org or call the toll-free TAPS resource and information helpline at 1.800.959.TAPS (8277).