TAPS to Welcome Families of America's Fallen and Honor Military Heroes for Memorial Day Weekend Events in Washington
30th Annual National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp Brings Together Surviving Spouses, Parents, Children, Siblings, and Battle Buddies for Weekend of Commemoration and Connection
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 21, 2024
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) will welcome more than 2,000 participants to the nation’s capital over Memorial Day weekend for its 30th Annual National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp.
The five-day event kicks off on Thursday, May 23, culminating with the official ceremonies on Memorial Day, May 27, at Arlington National Cemetery followed by the National Memorial Day Parade. The TAPS seminar, which offers a Good Grief Camp for bereaved children and informative workshops for adults, provides many opportunities for survivors to honor the life and service of their loved ones, regardless of the manner of death, the duty status at the time of death, or the survivor's relationship to the fallen.
“Memorial Day is a solemn occasion when Americans unite to honor those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom,” said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS President and Founder and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. “For 30 years, TAPS has been a pillar of support for the families of our nation’s fallen heroes, providing unwavering comfort, care, and resources to those grieving the loss of their loved ones who selflessly served our nation. Whether a service member dies in combat, by suicide, from illness, or in an accident, TAPS stands ready to support their families and honor their lives, ensuring they are forever remembered by a grateful nation.”
TAPS is committed to continuing its 30-year legacy of supporting all types of military-connected grief, and this commitment can be felt throughout the national seminar as well as the TAPS Good Grief Camp, where more than 500 children who have lost a loved one in military service will learn coping strategies and connect with other children grieving a similar loss. During the camp, the surviving children will be paired with military service members and veterans who serve as trained TAPS Mentors.
MEDIA INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES
Members of the media are invited to participate in a variety of daily activities, including interviews with TAPS President and Founder Bonnie Carroll, noted authorities on grief and loss, and volunteers and surviving military family members attending the seminar. Select activities are open to the media; advance notice is requested.
FRIDAY, MAY 24
- 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Eastern, live stream: Good Grief Camp Opening Ceremony for children, with remarks by General Martin E. Dempsey, former Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff
- 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Eastern, live stream: Opening Ceremony for adults, with remarks by General Charles Q. Brown, Jr., the 21st Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
- 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern: Nearly 500 hundred children gather in 26 locations to write personal messages to loved ones for the 30th Annual TAPS Honor Wreath, which will be delivered to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Memorial Day on Memorial Day. See Media Advisory
- 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern: Sons of America’s fallen, ages 13 to 18, learn to shave as a rite of passage alongside their Military Mentor. The TAPS event was recently featured in TIME100. See Media Advisory
SATURDAY, MAY 25
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern: Workshops and Share Groups for adults
- 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern: Off-site Good Grief Camp Jamboree at Joint Base Myer – Henderson Hall
- 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern, live stream: TAPS Grand Banquet led by Chef Robert Irvine’s team and the talented Military Chefs, with remarks by Admiral Christopher W. Grady, Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and actor Robert Patrick, with entertainment by Voices of Service
SUNDAY, MAY 26
- 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Eastern: Nearly 500 hundred children gather in 26 locations to write personal messages to loved ones for the 30th Annual TAPS Honor Wreath, which will be delivered to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Memorial Day
- 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern: Volunteers from the U.S. Air Force 89th Maintenance Group, Joint Base Andrews, assemble the TAPS Honor Wreath to lay at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
MONDAY, MAY 27
- 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eastern: Good Grief Camp children and Military Mentors deliver the TAPS Honor Wreath to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. (Note: Media credentialing is handled by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington. Requests must be submitted directly to the MDW.)
- 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern: National Memorial Day Parade
MEDIA RSVP REQUESTED
Please contact Susan Forbes at media@taps.org or call (860) 304-1807 to schedule interviews or attend a part of the seminar.
SPONSORS AND SUPPORT
The 30th Annual TAPS National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp is made possible by the generous support of partners, including The Hartwell Foundation, New York Life Foundation, USAA, NFL, Military Times, American Airlines, Capital Bank, Express Scripts, Fisher House, Gillette, Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, Lockheed Martin, Magellan Federal, National Park Trust, NBA, Northrop Grumman, Puente de Maravillas Foundation, Quest Foundation, American Chemistry Council, Chick-fil-A, Giant, Gold Star Mentors, Health Net Federal Services, Linus Blankets, Memorial Day Flowers, Military Mascots, Mission BBQ, The Theatre Lab, Toys For Tots Literacy Program, and United Through Reading.
ABOUT TAPS
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 all those grieving the death of a military loved one through peer-based emotional support, connections with grief and trauma resources, grief seminars and retreats for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, casework assistance, connections to community-based care, online and in-person support groups, and the 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline, all at no cost to surviving families. For more information, please visit TAPS.org or call 202-588-TAPS (8277).
MEDIA INQUIRIES
On-site interviews are available upon request — also available for regional and local media. Contact media@taps.org or 202-588-TAPS (8277), and ask for Susan Forbes.
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