You are warmly invited and encouraged to attend the 14th Annual TAPS National Military Survivor Seminar! This is a very special gathering where we remember the love we have in our hearts, celebrate the life we were so blessed to know, and share our journey of grief so that we may lessen our heartache and pain. This loving conference offers you comfort and support, takes you to special events and memorial tributes, and gives you a wealth of information and resources. Join us!
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
FOR THE SURVIVOR: If you are grieving the death of a loved one in the military, whether it is a family member, friend or fellow service member, you are warmly invited and encouraged to attend. You’ll attend workshops that are designed to help you heal and cope with life after loss. We have gentle, supportive discussions that offer you a chance to share with others facing similar losses, and help you discover that you are not alone on your grief journey.
FOR THE CAREGIVER: TAPS offers the most current information and effective instruction for professionals who work with military survivors. Essential for chaplains, casualty and mortuary staffs, family support, commanders and their spouses, medical and mental health personnel, funeral directors and therapists.
FOR OUR CHILDREN: The Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors is America’s only program for children who have lost a parent, sibling or loved one in military service to America. Our youth have a chance to share, to heal and have fun in a loving environment. Managed by some of America’s finest adolescent grief and trauma experts, our TAPS Youth also learn about our Nation’s Capitol while forging lasting friendships.
WHERE DOES ALL THIS TAKE PLACE?
All events and workshops take place right in (or depart from) the lovely DoubleTree Hotel in Crystal City Virginia. The hotel is located in an area just a block from the Pentagon, and directly across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. This landmark hotel has just undergone a multi-million dollar refurbishment, and we are very excited to have them hosting TAPS once again this year.
Some of the amenities at the DoubleTree include their gift of delicious cookies upon check-in, their family friendly computer centers to check email, free hotel and mall shuttles, a casual restaurant with pizza and burgers, and for those of us who like our lattés, a Starbucks in the lobby.
To make your reservation, call the DoubleTree Hotel and mention TAPS to receive the special rate of $114. To reach the hotel directly with any questions, please call 800-222-TREE (8733).
Overflow lodging will be at the Embassy Suites two blocks from the DoubleTree. The TAPS rate is $165 and it includes a suite (either two beds or one king, all with a pull out sofa in the living area) with refrigerator, microwave, seating area, a hot breakfast and an evening "Manager’s Reception." There is a shuttle between the Embassy Suites and the DoubleTree.
Events start on Friday at 1:00PM, so you should plan to arrive either on Thursday or early on Friday.
There is a FREE shuttle bus from Reagan National Airport to the Double Tree Crystal City, which runs regularly. It’s only a 5 minute trip!
If you fly into either Dulles Airport or Baltimore Washington Airport, the cost of the shuttle ranges from $35 to $65 (depending on how many people are in your group) and taxis can be around $45. You can reach Super Shuttle at 800-BLUE VAN (258-3826) OR 703-416-6661 for more info and to make reservations. The trip from either of these airports can take up to an hour, so try to fly into Washington Reagan National Airport if possible.
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
You may register on line at www.taps.org (click on Survivor Seminar and Register)
The registration fee is $185 per adult for the entire conference, which will include materials, workshops, meals, ground transportation, your TAPS polo shirt, and all special events, and $50 per child for the Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors.
WHEN DOES EVERYTHING HAPPEN?
The TAPS National Military Survivor Seminar begins with registration at 9AM on Friday, May 23 and concludes at 2PM on Monday, May 26 when we return to the hotel following the formal program with the ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday.
For travel planning purposes, plan to be there by noon on Friday, and leave after 3:00 p.m on Monday, well after the ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery.
Many of our attendees want to get home to participate in their local Memorial Day ceremonies, so if you would like to do that, just plan to depart Sunday evening, after our last session ends at 4:00PM.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
All of our events are “casual,” which means wear you are welcome to wear what you are comfortable in.
TAPS is a family, and even at our banquet, we welcome attendees wearing ball gowns or bedroom slippers.
For Arlington National Cemetery, we suggest you wear clothes that you would wear to church, but as with all other TAPS events, the most important thing is that you are comfortable. No matter what you wear, it’s okay with us!
Again, remember that weather can vary, so bring clothes that will protect you in cold rain and in hot sunshine (you can visit www.weather.com and enter our hotel zip code, 22202 for up to the minute forecasts). Also, hotel meeting rooms can range from chilly to stuffy, despite our best efforts, so bring a light sweater just to be sure you are always comfortable.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I BRING?
We make photo buttons and also do a memorial slide show, so please bring copies of photographs of your loved one if you would like to participate in these activities.
The weather can range from hot and sunny to cold and rainy, so bring both a hat and sunglasses (if you’d like) and also bring an umbrella and raincoat.
There is a pool at the hotel, so bring a bathing suit if you’d like to take a dip.
If you need any medications, bring extra (including prescription glasses and contact lenses) and keep them in your carry on luggage in case bags get lost (better to be safe!).
We hold a Silent Auction as a fundraiser – bring something fun to donate and come prepared to shop!
IS CHILD CARE OFFERED FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 5?
Yes! We have professional childcare available from 8AM until activities conclude Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The staff from MunchkinCare will care for your children with love and keep them safe and happy while you participate in the Seminar.
IS THERE AN EMERGENCY NUMBER I CAN CALL IN CASE I GET STRANDED AT THE AIRPORT, OR A NUMBER I CAN GIVE MY FAMILY BACK HOME IN CASE THEY NEED TO REACH ME?
Yes! 800-959-TAPS (8277) or 202-588-TAPS (8277)
DO I HAVE TO SELECT WORKSHOPS AHEAD OF TIME?
As with everything else we do, workshops are very easy and flexible. In fact, if you get ten minutes into a workshop and find out it’s not what you expected or want, you are welcome to slip out and try another one.
All of our workshops are conducted in a discussion format, so they aren’t so much lectures as support groups. Attend them and participate, or just sit back and listen. Your choice!
WILL I HAVE TIME TO SIGHTSEE WHILE I’M IN WASHINGTON? OR VISIT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY?
Many of our attendees also plan to come to Washington a day early, or leave a day later to allow for extra activities. Please give yourself plenty of time so you aren’t rushed, and let us know how we can help you plan your activities.
WHAT ABOUT THE GOOD GRIEF CAMP? SHOULD MY CHILDREN ATTEND? WHAT WILL THEY BE DOING?
The TAPS Good Grief Camp (GGC) for Young Survivors is a wonderful experience for children of all ages. They will gain so much, including:
Feeling the comfort in knowing they are not alone in their grief,
Developing coping skills to handle their emotions,
Learning how America honors those who die while serving in the military (regardless of how they died),
Discovering that they have a whole new group of friends their age who will be there for them, and who understand.
The GGC runs at the same time as the Survivor Seminar, so your children will be busy all day while you are at the Seminar.
Please let us know if you would like a copy of the GGC agenda, and we’ll email it to you. Hope to see you there!
