TAPS' Ashlynne Haycock-Lohmann Honored for Her Commitment to Surviving Military Families
TAPS Presents the Annual Senator Ted Stevens Leadership Award at TAPS Honor Guard Gala
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 19, 2024
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) will proudly present Ashlynne Haycock-Lohmann with the Senator Ted Stevens Leadership Award at its annual TAPS Honor Guard Gala on March 20, 2024, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.
Haycock-Lohmann is being honored for her tireless dedication to advancing legislation impacting military survivors. As the Deputy Director of the TAPS Government and Legislative Affairs team, Ashlynne is working with Congress on passing a comprehensive remarriage bill, improving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), strengthening survivor education benefits, and advancing policy aimed at honoring all Gold Star Families. She played a central role in the passage of the Forever GI Bill and the Cheryl Lankford Memorial Act, and repealing the Widow's Tax.
“I am honored and humbled to receive the TAPS Senator Ted Stevens Leadership Award,” Ashlynne shared. “My TAPS Family was an unwavering source of support following the deaths of my parents. TAPS gave me a place to belong and a place not only to heal, but thrive. I am forever grateful for the support I received, and I am dedicated to passing that support on to the next generation and honoring all surviving families.”
Ashlynne is the surviving daughter of both U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Jeffrey Haycock, who died in the line of duty in 2002, and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nichole Haycock, who died by suicide in 2011. The years between the deaths of her father and mother marked the beginning of Ashlynne’s dedication to advocating for the survivor community. She learned by watching her mother advocate for the repeal of the Widow’s Tax on Capitol Hill — legislation Ashlynne saw through in honor of her mother.
Since first attending Good Grief Camp in 2002 at age 10, Ashlynne has grown up in the TAPS community. After graduating from Good Grief Camp at age 18, she began mentoring young surviving children as a TAPS Legacy Mentor. After completing her degree, Ashlynne joined TAPS staff and founded TAPS Education Support Services, a TAPS resource that serves as a singular touchpoint for survivors seeking educational financial assistance that, in the last five years alone, has identified $1.6 billion in education funding for survivors. In addition to her current role at TAPS on the Government and Legislative Affairs team, Ashlynne was appointed a Negotiated Rule Maker for the Department of Education.
“Ashlynne embodies the TAPS mission,” said TAPS President and Founder Bonnie Carroll. “She has truly grown up in this family of survivors and is not only the living legacy of her father and mother, but she is carrying her own legacy forward, serving the next generation of survivors.”
About the Senator Ted Stevens Leadership Award
Sen. Ted Stevens left behind a legacy of caring for the families of the fallen. Following the Army National Guard plane crash in 1992 that took the life of his friend, Army Brig. Gen. Tom Carroll, Stevens helped his widow, Bonnie Carroll, found TAPS as the national non-profit organization caring for all those grieving the loss of a military loved one. TAPS continues to honor him through this leadership award in his name.
TAPS Honor Guard Gala
Funds raised at the annual Honor Guard Gala allow TAPS to provide critical, 24/7 support to the families of fallen U.S. military personnel and veterans at no cost to surviving family members. The Title Sponsor of this year's gala is USAA. Presenting Sponsors include: Austability, BAE Systems, Battelle, Oshkosh Defense, Pratt & Whitney, Prudential, and Telos. Patriot Sponsors include: Health Net Federal Services, Krivo Family Foundation, and TriWest Healthcare Alliance.
The gala begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by a dinner and program at 7:00 p.m. Sponsorship information is available at taps.org/gala.
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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).