Families of America’s Fallen Military Heroes to Connect at TAPS Retreat in California
Surviving spouses, fiancées and significant others who have lost a loved one in the military gather to honor their fallen heroes, find hope and support
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 17, 2018
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) will welcome grieving military spouses, fiancées and significant others to the TAPS California Surviving Spouses and Surviving Significant Others Retreat to Dana Point July 18-22.
The five-day retreat combines physical activity and quiet moments of reflection to help participants as they move toward hope and healing. Throughout the event, these loved ones connect with each other through activities, and experience the support that comes from shared loss.
“The TAPS Retreat in California will allow surviving spouses, fiancées and significant others to come together and participate in activities that encourage connection and help them find comfort and support,” said TAPS President and Founder Bonnie Carroll. “Grief is an extraordinarily complex and difficult journey, but no one has to travel this road alone. Surviving family members are inspired by the strength they draw from this retreat and being with others on a shared journey.”
INTERVIEW
OPPORTUNITIES: Thursday, July 19 from 12:30-5:30 p.m. to noon, kayaking in Dana Point
Friday, July 20 from 4:30-7:30 p.m., therapeutic riding in San Juan Capistrano
Saturday, July 21 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., a painting activity in Aliso Viejo or from
1:30-3 p.m., a yoga and sound therapy class in Dana Point
AVAILABLE
FOR INTERVIEW: Tara Reyna, TAPS Retreat Manager and surviving fiancée of Navy CW2 Earl Raymond
Scott III
Kylynn Maxwell, TAPS Retreat Staff and Peer Mentor, and surviving spouse of Marine
Corps Reserve Cpl. Nathan Robert Maxwell
Jessica Castaneda, retreat participant from California and surviving spouse of
Army National Guard Sgt. Timothy “TJ” Joffrion
Janelle Wallace, retreat participant from Texas and surviving spouse of Army Capt.
Ellery Ray Wallace
Tonya Armstead, retreat participant from Maryland and surviving spouse of
Army Sgt. 1st Class Moses Elijah Armstead
Daphne Garcia, retreat participant from California and surviving spouse of
Marine Corps veteran Michael Isaac Garcia
MEDIA RSVP REQUESTED:
Please email Rita Barry-Corke at rita@taps.org or call (202) 588-8722 (TAPS) to attend any part of the retreat or arrange interviews with TAPS staff or participants.
ABOUT TAPS
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the national organization providing compassionate care for the families of America’s fallen military heroes and has offered support to more than 80,000 surviving family members of our fallen military and their caregivers since 1994. TAPS provides peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, grief seminars and retreats for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, case work assistance, connections to community-based care, online and in-person support groups and a 24/7 resource and information helpline for all who have been affected by a death in the Armed Forces. Services are provided free of charge. For more information go to www.taps.org or call the toll-free TAPS resource and information helpline at 1.800.959.TAPS (8277).
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