Military Widows, Fiancées and Significant Others to Honor Loved Ones at Special TAPS Gathering in Germany

Retreat to Provide Hope and Healing as Survivors Connect, Encounter New Experiences

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 20, 2017

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) will host a special gathering for the surviving spouses, fiancées and significant others of America's fallen military at a TAPS retreat June 21-27 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.  Recognizing the military presence in Germany and the number of Germans and Americans living there who are mourning a military loss, TAPS is holding this event to bring therapeutic activities that will provide coping strategies while connecting military survivors living in Germany, or living elsewhere but with a connection to Germany.

The retreat will help participants honor their loved ones, find strength and gain coping skills as they move toward hope and healing through physical activity and quiet moments of reflection. Retreat participants will take part in hiking, canyoning and other outdoor summer activities in addition to learning how to move forward in their lives through sessions led by TAPS.

"Special gatherings such as this afford those attending an opportunity to bring the world closer together and help all those grieving a military loss to find strength – to push their physical and emotional boundaries, find a new sense of self and learn to rely on others,” said Bonnie Carroll, president and founder of TAPS and a 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. “Through moments of growth and serenity in the beautiful landscape of Germany, we will connect and learn from each other, creating bonds that will last a lifetime."

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW:  Jaime Boris, TAPS Retreat Manager                              
                                                              Surviving military widows, fiancées and significant others

MEDIA CREDENTIALS:
To attend any part of the retreat, contact Christine Fuentes at christine.fuentes@taps.org or 202.588.TAPS (8277).

While many surviving families are open to sharing their loved ones' stories, TAPS asks that the media be mindful that some may need time to collect their thoughts. You can find tips on covering families and trauma at www.taps.org/media.

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 70,000 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).