Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

This past week, TAPS Director of Government & Legislative Affairs Candace Wheeler presented TAPS testimony before Congress on critical legislation impacting our veterans and surviving families. The hearing addressed 18 bills designed to modernize and enhance benefits for veterans and their survivors. We sincerely appreciate the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee holding this crucial legislative hearing. Read TAPS' written statement here: https://lnkd.in/gYSMEqVd

Join us on September 5 in Joppa, Maryland, for the 17th Annual TAPS Golf Outing hosted by Parsons Corporation. This exceptional event has raised more than $1 million for the TAPS. Visit https://lnkd.in/g5e-WZsQ for more information and to register. Looking for other opportunities to support TAPS? Visit www.taps.org/support to get involved.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Joining Forces, and the Washington Nationals for inviting TAPS and numerous other military and veteran nonprofit organizations to Monday’s NATO game at Nationals Park. Your unwavering dedication to recognizing and honoring the service and sacrifice of our nation’s military, veterans, caregivers, and survivors is truly appreciated. Thank you for making such special moments possible! 🇺🇸 Blue Star Families Wounded Warrior Project wear blue: run to remember Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Student Veterans of America Hiring Our Heroes

🌟 Missed our recent webinar? Good news! You can now access it anytime on our website. 🌟 🎥 Topic: "What to Do with Your Loved One's Possessions" Personal possessions tell a beautiful story of a person's life. Sorting through these items after accumulating too much or losing a loved one can be overwhelming. In this webinar, Rachel Kodanaz shares personal stories and offers strategies to thin, repurpose, and redistribute these possessions. This workshop is about remembering those no longer with us, cherishing memories, and passing connections to future generations. 👉 Watch Now: https://lnkd.in/gh_w5kkN Presented by the TAPS Institute for Hope and Healing®.

🌟 We extend our heartfelt gratitude to First Lady Dr. Jill Biden for inviting TAPS Families to the White House Fourth of July Celebration. It was a truly memorable evening, filled with camaraderie and remembrance. Together with friends from the military and veteran community, we honored our loved ones while celebrating the 248th birthday of our nation. 🇺🇸 We are deeply thankful to The First Lady and the Joining Forces Team for their unwavering support of our nation’s surviving military families and for consistently honoring our loved ones in all their efforts. Learn more about Joining Forces at https://lnkd.in/guHQxcH

Join us for an enlightening webinar presented by the TAPS Institute for Hope and Healing®. Discover the profound benefits of nature in healing our mind, body, and spirit. We will address the barriers to getting outside, especially during grief, and provide tools to help you overcome these challenges. This webinar is presented free of charge by our sponsor, Dignity Memorial. Don't miss this opportunity to learn and heal. Register at https://lnkd.in/g_kPq29Q

This Independence Day, we invite you to join us in reflecting on the true meaning of freedom. In a special message, our President and founder, Bonnie Carroll, extends heartfelt thanks to the TAPS Family for the service and sacrifice of their loved ones. Their courage and dedication ensure the freedoms we celebrate today. Watch the full video and join us in honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

We had an incredible time last week at the TAPS College Experience at TAPS HQ! The TAPS College Experience for Teens and Parents is a 4-day summer event in Washington D.C. and Arlington, Virginia. This program helps surviving military children who are rising Sophomores and Juniors, along with their guardians, prepare for college. Participants meet with higher education experts to learn essential skills like writing personal essays, choosing the right college, securing funding, and networking. They also gain valuable information about available college benefits and are able to tour several local colleges. A huge thank you to the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund for sponsoring the entire week and to all our guests who shared their expertise and insights with our survivors: ⭐ Sarah Brown from Right4U College Counseling ⭐ Federico Glitman and Caroline Banholzer from The George Washington University ⭐ Isaiah Ellis, Brett Madoo, and Brian Fu from the U.S. Department of Education ⭐ Joseph Garcia, Executive Director of Education Service at Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ⭐ Eric Eversole, President of Hiring Our Heroes (a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Ford Motor Company definitely showed up for our #survivors, #veterans and #militaryfamilies in a big way recently by hosting us as their guests at the first-ever "Proud to Honor: Bronco Off-Roadeo" event in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. Military and Veteran surviving families from TAPS joined together with members of Blue Star Families, Travis Manion Foundation, Guitars For Vets, Inc., and Team Rubicon for the thrill of a lifetime. Check it out! Ford has a long history of supporting our nation’s military and veterans and recognizes what TAPS knows to be true: that peer-to-peer support works. By bringing families of shared experience together to honor their loved ones while creating new and lasting memories - together - they have not only helped create community but have made a lasting and positive impact on each survivor’s grief journey, reminding them that they are not alone. Thank you, Ford, for your support of survivors, veterans, and military families and for never forgetting those who have sacrificed so much on behalf of our nation. #FordProudtoHonor #4thofJuly #DoYourPart

TAPS was honored to help a special family make their baseball dreams come true in honor of their hero, their Dad Col Ronald "Erick" Gilbert ❤️🇺🇸 Read more of their story featured this week in The Washington Post on http://taps.org/inthenews Photos courtesy of the Gilbert Family and the Miami Marlins