Contributions by Heather Gray Blalock * Surviving Spouse of Air Force Maj David Gray * TAPS Peer Mentor

TAPS and the Evolution of Grief

It’s been almost 15 years since my husband was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. Some days, I still find myself expecting him to return from deployment. With every new milestone our children reach — every passing anniversary, birthday, and holiday — his absence is sorely felt anew. Yet our loss does not stop life from continuing its forward march.

12/10/2025 - Heather Gray Blalock * Surviving Spouse of Air Force Maj David Gray * TAPS Peer Mentor