Los Angeles Dodgers to Celebrate Independence Day with TAPS and the Families of America's Fallen Military Heroes

Team will host 12 surviving families from the Greater Los Angeles Area

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 2, 2018

ARLINGTON, Va. –- The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) will welcome the families of America’s fallen military heroes for special pre-game festivities to honor their loved ones and celebrate Independence Day.  TAPS families along with members of the active duty military community will take part in pre-game ceremonies. 

Prior to game time, families from the greater Los Angeles area who have lost a loved one in service to America will celebrate our country’s independence by unfurling the giant American flag to be displayed during the National Anthem tribute.  During the game, families and their fallen heroes will be recognized on the stadium jumbotron and honored for their sacrifice.

"TAPS is incredibly grateful to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the opportunity to honor America's fallen heroes at Dodgers Stadium on the Fourth of July," said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS President and Founder. "Surviving military families will honor their loved ones while making new memories with one of Major League Baseball’s most storied teams."

The families’ participation was facilitated by the TAPS sports program, teams4taps, which creates meaningful opportunities for the surviving families of America's military fallen to honor their heroes by engaging with the athletes and teams they cheered for together. teams4taps works with more than 150 sports teams across the country, and since its inception in 2013, has touched the lives of thousands of surviving military family members. 

WHEN: July 4, 2018 at 4:45 PDT prior to gametime which start at 5:10 PDT

WHERE: Dodgers Stadium, 1000 Vin Scully Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90012

INTERVIEW AVAILABILITY:

• Leigh Edmonds, TAPS Manager, Sports and Entertainment
• Surviving military families attending the game (must be pre-arranged)  Media are invited to cover the event and will have an opportunity to speak with local families sharing stories of their fallen heroes. 

MEDIA RSVP REQUIRED:

Email Rita Barry-Corke at rita@taps.org or call 202.588.TAPS (8277) to request credentials. 

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 75,000 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).

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