Making It Matter

After losing his dad to cancer the day after his 7th birthday, Cambridge Brown arrived reluctantly at his first Good Grief Camp in 2023 feeling hurt and out of place. Now 11, and a three-time Good Grief Camp attendee, Cambridge — well, let’s let him tell you… 

On that first day at TAPS, I was 8 years old, and I was sad. I didn’t really want to be there; I didn’t want to talk to anybody. I felt like the odd one out. But, I liked the music at the Good Grief Camp opening ceremony, especially “The Unicorn,” performed by General Dempsey. When my dad and I listened to that song, my dad sang it just like the general. Hearing it at TAPS made me feel closer to my dad. Looking around the room, I realized that I wasn’t the only kid who lost a parent and was going through a hard time. All the kids around me lost someone.

The second time I went to TAPS Good Grief Camp, I wore a unicorn outfit and sang “The Unicorn” on stage with General Dempsey. I always sang that song with my dad, so I knew the words, and we took the time to get the unicorn outfit…I knew I had to do it.

What a difference a year makes; what a difference TAPS makes. Lisa, Cambridge’s mom, explains how TAPS changed everything... 

Even though my husband’s friends — we call them the boys — have stuck by Cambridge, it was different at TAPS. These were people who didn’t know his dad. He got to tell the story. And he didn’t have to live in his dad’s shadow. As he tells me, he gets to be himself while remembering his dad. I have my little boy back — the boy he’s supposed to be. He’s not angry. He’s not upset. He knows that there are other kids like him. Now he wants to help other kids going through what he’s gone through. He’s not angry at the military anymore. 

During July — which he declared “Make it Matter Month” — he partnered with TAPS to raise $50,000 to create more opportunities for surviving kids to attend Good Grief Camp. In his words… 

My dad always taught me. If you're going to say something, say it loud and be proud with it.

And, he is proud — a proud TAPS kid, a proud surviving kid — and a very special part of our TAPS Family. Cambridge, thank you for supporting other kids like you. Thank you for raising $12,515 and counting for fellow survivors! Thank you for making it matter.

PHOTOS: Cambridge and Lisa Brown