Families of Fallen American Military Heroes Gather in Texas for Weekend of Hope and Healing
TAPS Seminar Brings Bereaved Adults and Children Together to Form Connections, Learn Coping Strategies and Honor Their Loved Ones
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 11, 2019
ARLINGTON, Va. – Bereaved families of fallen U.S. military service members will come together at the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) Southern Regional Seminar and Good Grief Camp from March 15-17 at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. The event will bring together nearly 300 surviving family members to share their stories of love and loss, learn ways to cope with their grief and find healing in their shared experiences.
“TAPS regional seminars bring together military families grieving a fallen hero and provide support, resources and compassionate care,” said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS President and Founder and 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. “Through these TAPS weekends of sharing held across the country, grieving military families find comfort and healing as they honor those who have served and died.”
For adults, the three-day seminar will feature sessions led by experts in the fields of grief and loss, suicide, trauma and bereavement. Throughout the weekend, surviving family members and loved ones will get to know each other in a relaxed, welcoming setting where they can share memories of their fallen heroes and find comfort, hope and healing in hearing each other’s stories.
Children and teens at the seminar will attend the TAPS Good Grief Camp where they will gain a network of friends their own age who are also grieving a fallen military hero. Experts in the fields of child development, mental health and education will help the children and young adults process their grief and embrace healing through games, crafts and other age-appropriate activities. Each child will be partnered with a specially trained TAPS Military Mentor who will provide companionship and support during the seminar and beyond.
Active duty military members and recent veterans interested in volunteering as TAPS Military Mentors at the seminar should visit www.taps.org/militarymentor. The TAPS Southern Regional Seminar is made possible by the support of TAPS community partner, H-E-B, and volunteers from throughout the Fort Hood community.
INTERVIEW AVAILABILITY:
On Saturday, March 16, opening ceremonies will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. to welcome surviving families to the seminar. Interviews are available following the ceremony with TAPS President and Founder Bonnie Carroll, grief experts and surviving military families.
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS:
- Bonnie Carroll, TAPS President and Founder
- Maj. Gen. Felix G Gedney, III Corps and Fort Hood deputy commanding general for support (U.K.)
- Renowned experts on traumatic loss, grief and bereavement
- Audri Beugelsdijk, TAPS Vice President of Survivor Care and surviving spouse of U.S. Navy Seaman Jason Springer
- Erin Jacobson, TAPS Senior Advisor, Outreach and Engagement and surviving fiancée of U.S. Army Ranger Cpl. Jason Kessler
- Renee Monczynski, TAPS Young Adult Coordinator and surviving spouse of U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Steven Monczynski
- Terri Jones, TAPS Survivor Care Team and surviving mother of U.S. Army Reserve Spc. Jason Cooper
- Melinda Kane, TAPS Peer Mentor Program Coordinator and surviving mother of U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jeremy M. Kane
- Surviving military family members from across the region
MEDIA RSVP:
Media desiring to attend the event must call 254-287-9993 or 254-287-0106 no later than 4 p.m. March 14 to be registered. A Fort Hood public affairs representative will meet the media in the south parking area at the Marvin Leath Visitors Center located on T.J. Mills Blvd. no later than 8 a.m. March 16 for an escort onto the installation. Additionally, all interview and coverage opportunities will be at Fort Hood.
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ABOUT TAPS
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (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 more than 85,000 survivors of fallen military in the form of 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).