Parents Find Hope, Healing at TAPS Retreat in Atlanta
Participants who have lost a son or daughter in the military gather to connect and honor their loved ones
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Aug. 22, 2017
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Tragedy Assistance Program Survivors (TAPS) will host parents of America’s fallen military heroes at a retreat in Atlanta Aug. 22-26. The four-day event will be filled with healing activities and will offer attendees the opportunity to honor their loved one, as well as provide them with tools to cope with their grief.
“The TAPS Parents’ Retreat in Atlanta will allow grieving family members to come together and participate in activities that encourage connection and help them find comfort and support,” said TAPS Founder and President Bonnie Carroll. “Grief is an extraordinarily complex and difficult journey, but no one has to walk the road alone.”
On Wednesday and Thursday, participants will visit Georgia Aquarium, where they will have the opportunity to swim with whale sharks and explore the Aquarium together.
“Georgia Aquarium is honored to host TAPS parents and have them participate in our Journey with Gentle Giants program,” said Devin Waddell, manager of dive immersion programs at Georgia Aquarium. “We are dedicated to supporting our military and military families in any way that we can. One way we can do that is providing an unforgettable and therapeutic swim experience in our 6.3-million-gallon Ocean Voyager habitat, where guests can relax and enjoy being surrounded by whale sharks and hundreds of other aquatic animals.”
During the weekend, surviving parents will also tour World of Coca-Cola and participate in a trolley tour of Atlanta. The weekend of events will combine experiences with others who have faced similar loss, creating lifelong bonds.
INTERVIEW
OPPORTUNITIES: Visit to Georgia Aquarium, Wednesday, Aug. 23, at 10 a.m. and Thursday, Aug. 24 at
10:30 a.m., 225 Baker St. NW, Atlanta, Ga. (Interview and film TAPS staff, Georgia
Aquarium representatives and TAPS families as they experience an adventure with the
whale sharks.)
AVAILABLE
FOR INTERVIEW: Jaime Boris, Manager of TAPS Retreats and surviving spouse of Army
Capt. David Boris
Surviving parents attending the retreat
Devin Waddell, manager of dive immersion programs at Georgia Aquarium
MEDIA RSVP REQUESTED:
Please email christine.fuentes@taps.org or call 540-905-8448 to attend any part of the retreat or arrange interviews with TAPS staff or survivors.
ABOUT TAPS
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the national organization providing compassionate care for the families of America’s fallen military heroes and has offered support to more than 70,000 surviving family members of our fallen military and their caregivers since 1994. TAPS provides 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).