Contributions for 2016

“Looking forward to future webinars like those that I have been able to attend to get some help in my journey.”

Volunteers supported almost every program within TAPS, from our Good Grief Camps to adult programming to Team TAPS races.

TAPS honored our heroes at baseball games in a dozen cities, hung out in the pits at NASCAR and watched horses soar over jumps.

TAPS Peer Mentors are dedicated to being a constant source of support to their mentees, showing patience and understanding in all situations.

"Thanks for all your smiles and laughter for those 26 years, Marcus!”

TAPS can connect you to available support right in your community — especially at the holidays.

Benefits are available to attend the school of your dreams.

Greg Olsen and the Carolina Panthers honor TAPS Survivors.

Sometimes Casework assistance comes in the form of a financial miracle and other times just a helpful nudge in the right direction when you need it most.

Volume 22, Issue 4

Survivors pushed themselves to new heights, hope and healing through hiking, swimming with whale sharks, snorkeling, dog sledding, horseback riding and more.

From Disney to Alaska, Team TAPS pounded out over 15,000 miles in 2016 to honor our fallen heroes and raise money and awareness for our TAPS families.

At TAPS, we want every child who has lost a fallen hero to know they don't have to grow up alone.

We can honor our heroes and share their stories while blazing a trail of our own.

When a loved one dies, it can be hard to face the upcoming time and keep the same traditions.

TAPS heals hearts, brings hope and lets our families know they aren’t alone.

TAPS Online Community fosters special connections among survivors with real-time conversations, message boards and peer-based sharing groups.

These roses are still blooming despite freezing temperatures. Isn’t that what we survivors are doing? We are blooming even through severe trauma..

As 2016 comes to a close, it is time for many of us to look at where we are now on our grief journey and what has helped us.

This webinar provides tools for navigating the holidays after the loss of a loved one.

Because it is Thanksgiving weekend, this message features a list of resources TAPS provides that I am thankful for as a survivor.

Event Photos, TAPS Families join Atlanta Falcons for Practice and Game Day

When your family circle has been broken by death, holidays are a reminder of the empty spot at the table, the hole in your heart.

Hold your loved ones close to your heart with rich memories to warm your season. Allow yourself the energy to focus on a few small projects to bring cheer.

TAPS is so grateful for Lenzy's service to our country and willingness to share his talent as a photographer to help TAPS tell our story through images.

Creating connection for a blended family builds a strong foundation for the future.

As we grieve, the need for continuity drives us to look beyond the physical body, to embrace love that doesn't stop when life does

There are small reminders from our loved ones waiting this season to come softly and tap us on the shoulder and say, "I'm still here. I’m still walking with you."

For some of us, happy and merry and joy are the remotest emotions of our heart during the holiday season. Too many memories. Too many traditions.

Like clay on a potter’s wheel, we are continually sculpted into a work of art through our life experiences, including our grief journey.

We are a family of survivors sharing this journey together. We are so sorry for what brought you to us but are indeed glad you have found us.

Nine unique ways to change your perspective from one of grief and loss to one of hope and engagement.

But that’s the beauty of the Richard Tree. When people see it for the first time, the ornaments require the telling of moments in our son’s life.

TAPS Education Support Services is available to help you throughout the college and scholarship application process.

Solitude can offer a time of reflection that allows us to explore our thoughts and synthesize information, provides a time for rest, and can allow for growth.

This week we explore strategies on how to turn the anger that comes with grief into more of a focus on the pride for our loved one’s service.

Some days, it feels like a long stretch to be thankful for these seemingly harsh lessons in my life, but it's a necessary part of healing as I turn grief into gratitude.

There is no right or wrong way for your teen to grieve, but these tips can help keep your teen's mind, body and soul healthy during such a tumultuous period of time.

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Everyone walks a path on their own, but we can share some emotions together. That is what makes us a family.

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As you read answers from survivors, living life after the loss of a loved one is not easy, but we all take up the challenge in different ways.

For Oshkosh Defense Army Ten-Miler runners, the weekend experience was about humbly and proudly wearing their hero’s photo on their Team TAPS jersey.

Today survivors share helpful tips to get through this season as well as other ideas from TAPS on getting through the holidays while you are grieving.

Have you ever wondered, “Where do I go from here?” I was there four years ago after my oldest son, Joshua, died by suicide.

This week, there were many replies to the question about moving or staying in the place you shared with your loved one and how you handle going to places that were special if you decide to stay.

The only thing that has been my saving grace is knowing the loss I experienced has given me the unique tools to help others know what they are feeling is normal.

Because the soulmate relationship is by definition built upon a particularly strong attachment, the grief that follows the tearing-apart of that relationship is particularly strong.

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Two survivors talk about their experiences at Seminars and one survivor describes her experience at Retreats.

Throughout the next days, weeks and months of initial grief, the pain seemed unending, relentless. Nights dragged on and minutes seemed like hours.

Survivors remember what was supportive and helpful when they were first grieving as well as what they do now when a death happens in their network of family or friends.

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"I just started crying," Cindy said about learning about Team TAPS for the first time. "I was like 'this is what I need to do."

The seasonal changes of the Earth are similar to the emotions survivors feel after the death of a loved one. We change as we travel through our personal journey.

Trust your grief skills and allow yourself to breathe in the sacred space where we honor those who are gone too soon from our lives but never our hearts.

Instead, we question our own mortality, fear the loss of others close to us and must come to understand that life is worth living and there is hope in our tomorrow.

I was inspired by Brandi Burke, a first-time TAPS volunteer who quite literally rolled up the sleeves and went above and beyond for our families.

Proceeds from the Colorado Celebrity Classic events help sponsor vital TAPS programs, events and healing support for families.

I might as well understand that I’m in a match where grief is my opponent for life. But my life can still be happy, hopeful and full of love.

"There is nothing we can do for a survivor to replace the loss, but what we can do is we can work to replace the painful memories with new ones..." Gen. Dempsey

And so TAPS was born, from a visceral understanding that feeling trapped, alone and emotionally confined is not the end of the journey.

Our grief created a monster in our kitchen. Someday, we will hopefully find ourselves cooking together and remembering only the happy times spent in that space.

I have been able to face my fears daily. They don’t rule my life. I choose to be happy. I choose not to quit. I choose to take a chance.

On June 25, 1996, the terrorist bombing of Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia took the lives of 19 U.S. Air Force personnel and wounded hundreds more.

Volunteers could be found passing out goody bags, making sure kids were hydrated, leading craft activities, and helping campers off the zip line.

Bonnie Carroll and other TAPS survivors have embraced EOIR into the TAPS family at the golf outing and other events throughout the year.

As long as you aren’t crying so hard that it hinders you from sharing your story, it’s all right to keep going.

One of the pitfalls of practicing mindfulness is the myth that you have to have a clear mind to be a "good" mediator.

There are people who will step into your life. They will take hold, and they will help you through the turbulence. TAPS has brought many special people into my life: friends who I’ve made through Good Grief Camps, outstanding leaders and mentors.

"This year we wanted something different, something that would honor our military and at the same time perhaps have an impact on our girls."

For many, this is the one place they can be authentic in their grief and feel a deep connection to others.

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I felt the wind sweep across my face and a warmness in my soul. I knew it was my Brian telling me it was OK — I could let go, live my life and take care of myself.

Volume 22, Issue 3

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This 30-second public service announcement (PSA) serves to raise awareness about suicide and prevention.

This webinar is in support of National Suicide Prevention Month to raise awareness and the best information on prevention and reporting.

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When survivors share stories and photos of sports memories with their loved one, teams4taps works to create opportunities with those teams.

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USA Basketball continued their partnership with the U.S. Military this summer as they teamed up with TAPS.

As the family of Sgt. Nick Pansini told the story of his suicide in 2010, the reason for TAPS became crystal clear: We care!

Survivor parent, Jonathan Jay Gee, Sr. shares how TAPS has helped him, his family and friends cope with his military son's suicide.

We recognize in the past week many across our TAPS Family are feeling the fatigue of political debate and fighting. Our primary mission remains your comfort and care.

To the military and veterans communities, nothing is more sacred or honored than the families of those who are grieving the death of their fallen military hero.

Campers and mentors are busy from the moment the National Good Grief Camp starts forming bonds that will last throughout the weekend and beyond.

The grief journey is not individualistic, but rather to be shared and undergirded by the communal sense of our own mortality.

It was important to Daniel that he provide a meaningful experience for the grieving child so that they could both grow and support each other throughout the National Good Grief Camp.

Grief is an individual process. Camp can give us permission to be exactly where we are, at each precise moment, on our very personal grief journey.

TAPS family stories of healing transcend cultural boundaries. We blend our traditions into a shared celebration as we honor the memories of those we loved and lost.

"By observing nature you begin to sense the harmonious interaction of all the elements and forces of life... ” – Deepak Chopra

After losing a sibling, it can be difficult to rebuild because part of you is missing. Read one sibling survivor's story of love and hope and how he copes.

Whatever route you choose to take along your grief journey, TAPS will be there offering you care, support and encouragement every step of the way.

In the early days of grief, it can seem impossible to find anything that anchors us back to a sense of stability, especially when hope feels to be out of sight or grasp.

Our Care Groups are a space to come together for tears, but also for laughter. To sit in silence or to unload a burden. Our groups are big enough for all of that and everything in between.

How do you know if you are ready to be invited into another person’s life and walk alongside them in their grief?

I ignored the calls at first. I made sure everyone else in my family was okay first: my mom, my sisters, Tray’s mom, Jaxon. But what about me?

And so TAPS was born, from a visceral understanding that feeling trapped, alone and emotionally confined is not the end of the journey.

Social media has forever expanded the way we express sorrow and grief. Online grieving and condolences are part of a standard ritual in the aftermath of tragedy and death.

When you are ready to become newly proud of who you are and how you are living, then it’s time to connect with your Inner Warrior.

Books can be a helpful way to encourage kids to talk about their own grief.

War correspondent and documentarian Sebastian Junger’s latest book deals with the failure of American society to reintegrate American soldiers returning home from combat.

Walking group programs offer participants an opportunity to share, re-energize and learn from others who have also experienced grief.

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Walking with thousands of people in grief has resulted in an “educated heart” that has led to an acceptance of my role as a responsible rebel.

TAPS Peer Mentors are like being fitted with a prosthetic limb after the loss of your own.

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Adults and kids of fallen heroes find peace and connections at TAPS IslandWood Family Campout.

Sometimes in grief, you will get angry at your loved one.  A surviving spouse shares the side of grief we won't always admit - we get mad at our heroes for leaving.

The 2016 Senator Ted Stevens Leadership Award was presented to surviving daughter Taylor Dudley at the TAPS Honor Guard Gala on March 6.

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Volume 22, Issue 2

A surviving daughter reflects on Father's Day on learning to see in herself the love he had for his family.

With few memories of her father, one surviving daughter is connecting with the man he was and his lasting impact 25 years later and finding ways to honor him on Father's Day with TAPS.

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Memorial Day is a day where I remember my friends, family and brothers who served in the military with me. I now understand the significance of the day.

“Remember us,” he said to me. That was his hope, should any free soul come across that place, in all the countless centuries yet to be.

The American flag next to a banner was designed by Anne, mother of Michael, placed in a mall near her home to remind people of Memorial Day’s meaning.

He and all of the other’s who have paid the ultimate sacrifice will be honored on this day, and we as a grateful nation will pause to remember.

"This Memorial Day marks a new chapter in my life where I understand the importance of grief..."

One day to honor our fallen and one day to honor our veterans. Do you know the difference?

When Linda Ambard's military husband was assassinated she lost hope. Then she met a man who saw her for more than just her story.

Military survivors can find pets provide comfort during their time of grieving and as they try to adjust to a life of loss.

Ms. Ruocco provides a comprehensive understanding of suicide prevention and postvention based on both her professional and personal experiences.

Surviving son Jacob Centeno shares his journey and TAPS experience.

Mothers' Day for those who've lost both a child and a mother is a unique experience.

Cinco de Mayo marks the day of my dad and my last journey, our last playlist, at Arlington National Cemetery. 

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This webinar is in support of National Suicide Prevention Month to raise awareness and the best information on prevention and reporting.

Lack of concentration is a normal response to a grieving family member and military survivors. Read this article for suggestions on coping strategies.

Marathon 100 can be about surviving the Heartbreak Hill of life and pushing through my fear to take back my life one step at a time.

The 2016 TAPS Honor Guard Gala, held on April 6 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

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Often messages people in grief are given are in opposition to stillness. The paradox for many grievers as they try to move forward, they often lose their way.

Each connection between a mentor and a mentee is unique. For Brittany Johnstone, her mentee relationships develop through texting, social media and email.  

Marine General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delivered remarks at the TAPS Honor Guard Gala in Washington, D.C.

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An Army chaplain shares her story of loss and finding hope again after a battle buddy's death by suicide.

Yet, where once we were only trying to find our way in the aftermath, there has been, and continues to be, rebuilding and remodeling.

Good Grief Campout activities create the perfect backdrop for rituals that honor and remember loved ones.

Since 2001, DynCorp International has lost 84 teammates while supporting our nation’s foreign policy objectives.

I come from a family that understands that freedom is a privilege that must be protected, and that love is the deepest blessing.

My heart was pounding, and I was running late for the 2 p.m. training I had been told to attend, but not only could I not find the room.

Winter can be a harsh, bleak expanse of empty days and introspection. We often consider how to face another spring without our loved ones.

TAPS hosts the National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp over Memorial Day weekend. It is a sacred time where we gather as family to share the journey.

The pain you feel when you are in grief is intricately connected to – and intimately tangled up with – the love you felt, and still feel, for the person who died.

As surviving families, we know we are part of this larger American legacy of grief and loss. How does Memorial Day change for us when the holiday becomes personal?

My parents survived the Holocaust, so people who had been wrenched through horror and loss raised me.

Coming from a military family culture where we "walk it off" and "rub some dirt on it," we don't always allow ourselves time to move forward with gentleness.

I lost 150 pounds that came from the deepest folds of my heart and radiated out into every fiber of my mind, body and spirit. What’s left of that weight sits in an urn on the table in my living room. My son Brandon.

Peer mentors are an important part of the TAPS family. We are grateful for the time they give helping other survivors heal.

Military families are frequently called to live far from home and look for ways to maintain close connections to those they love and miss.

The best way to move forward and honor the memory of a fallen loved one is to remember them. Celebrate the stories that cherish your hero’s life.

TAPS families use endurance challenge events to highlight the physical activities that once inspired their fallen heroes.

This guide can help you understand how grief affects children, and offers ways to help children through the grieving process.

In loving memory of a dad I can’t remember on his 40th Angelversary.

Navigating loss and grief with your adult children and your new relationship.  

Volume 22, Issue 1

Often, perfect is the enemy of good enough, especially when it comes to our own well-being. Our challenge to you is to start imperfectly right now.

Military survivor and widow, Kim Ruocco, shares how important it is that we send positive messages to today's vets.

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In a new relationship, a surviving spouse talks about the choice between allowing it to move forward in hope or protecting herself from losing again. 

A surviving mom feels renewed after bonding with other mothers of fallen heroes on a TAPS Retreat.

A surviving mom talks about finding friendship and healing among her peers on the TAPS Moms Retreat at IslandWood.

TAPS new Health & Wellness Initiative, Inner Warrior, is a multi-dimensional program aimed at empowering survivors to reclaim feelings of wholeness and well-being.

There are many scholarships available for surviving family members that can help ease the financial burdens of education.

New legislation now allows eligible special need surviving children and adults to have their Survivor Benefit Plan payment made to a Special Needs Trust.

John Rhoten is a volunteer and Team TAPS Runner who runs to raise awareness for TAPS.

The only birthday she ever spent with her dad was the day she was born.  A daughter shares the impact of her father's absence in her life.

She missed her husband's call. Not returning it in time would cause years of guilt, but an important lesson to always let others know how much they mean to you.

TAPS is expanding our mobile messaging capabilities with an exciting new program that allows us to text you important reminders.

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An honest dialogue about opening your heart to a relationship again after the death of spouse.

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Companioning the bereaved is not about assessing, analyzing, fixing or resolving another’s grief. Instead, it is about being totally present to the mourner.

Spotlight on TAPS Peer Mentor, Dana O'Brien, surviving grandfather of CPL Daniel O'Brien.

I knew that my “mission” was to get involved with a suicide prevention program and work with soldiers and their family members.

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The grief journey crossroads of avoiding pain and risking your heart to find happiness again.