Families of America’s Fallen Military Heroes Gather in Denver for a Weekend of Hope and Healing
TAPS Seminar Brings Bereaved Adults and Children Together to Forge Connections, Learn Coping Strategies and Honor Their Loved Ones
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 4, 2018
ARLINGTON, Va. – Bereaved family members of fallen U.S. service members from Colorado and beyond will come together at the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) Regional Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp from September 7-9 in Denver. Survivors at all stages of the grief journey – from those who lost their loved one a decade ago to those coping with much fresher wounds – will have the space and encouragement to process their grief and connect with others who have walked in their shoes.
The three-day seminar will have programming for adults and children centered on proven best practices of peer-based emotional support. Over family-style meals and during expert-led workshops and special events, survivors will get to know each other in a relaxed, welcoming setting where they can share memories of their loved ones and find comfort and hope in hearing each other’s stories.
Children and teens at the seminar will attend the Good Grief Camp to learn how to cope with their loss of a loved one who served in the Armed Forces. Experts in the fields of child development, mental health and education will help the young survivors process their grief and embrace healing through games, crafts and other age-appropriate activities. Each child will be partnered with a specially-trained military mentor who will provide companionship and support during the seminar and beyond.
“TAPS regional seminars bring together military families grieving a fallen hero and provide support, resources, and compassionate care,” said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS President and Founder and a 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. “Through these TAPS weekends of sharing held across the country, grieving military families find comfort and healing as they honor those who have served and died.”
INTERVIEW OPPPORTUNITIES:
On Saturday, Sept. 8 opening ceremonies will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. to welcome surviving families to the seminar. Interviews are available following the ceremony with TAPS President and Founder Bonnie Carroll, grief experts and surviving military families attending the event.
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS:
- Bonnie Carroll, TAPS President and Founder
- Laura Benton, surviving spouse of Navy HMC Kevin Benton, Jr. and resident of Aurora, Colo.
- Sarah Conlon-Pernick, surviving mother of Special Agent Nathan Schuldheiss of Denver
- Frank and Silvia Buoniconti, surviving parents of Army CW3 Frank Buoniconti and residents of Colorado Springs, Colo.
MEDIA RSVP REQUESTED:
Please email Rita Barry-Corke at media@taps.org or call her at O: (202) 588-8722 (TAPS), C: (860) 304-1807 to arrange interviews with TAPS staff or participants or attend any part of the seminar.
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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).