Stories for 2021

See the graphics from a commemorative book of 56 American flags flown in the 46th Presidential Inauguration and later presented to TAPS Families.

Video recording on health benefits and best practices for journaling in this hands on workshop.

Event Photos: TAPS joins Senator Warnock & Senator Hyde-Smith to Introduce Gold Star Families Remembrance Week Resolution on Capitol Hill.

Event Photos and Story of 2021 Colorado Celebrity Classic by Pam Cress

Those who lost loved ones on September 11 have become the living legacies of American service and sacrifice and forever part of the TAPS family.

Event Photos: TAPS supporters join together in supporting the families of our fallen military members.

After the loss of his father at the Pentagon on 9/11, surviving son gives back as a Legacy Mentor and Group Leader to TAPS Good Grief Camp youth.

If you’ve been forced to postpone a full ceremony after a death, read these helpful tips for planning a future ceremony and following through.

Event Photos: TAPS surviving men enjoy wilderness to refocus, honor our loved ones, and connect with other men who understand in West Creek Ranch.

Home Base and TAPS offer specialized trauma treatment combined with peer-based support to those grieving the loss of a military loved one to suicide.

Our nation has seen extreme acts of courage and service within civilian and military communities. We join in the outpouring of support.

Video recording on responding to people whose remarks feel insensitive regarding losing a loved one and how to respond without feeling angry or hurt.

A surviving daughter chooses to focus on hope, honoring our Fallen Heroes, and remembering that there is meaning in the losses of our loved ones.

Making memory boxes helps a surviving mother focus on the joy that person gave her life and can continue to give in the form of memories.

Surviving daughter and author Heather Plett shares lessons learned from a gifted palliative care nurse while caring for her mother at home.

Video recording on perspectives through different experiences. Explore how to honor the life and service our loved ones gave to our great nation.

Video recording discussion that explores and offers useful exercises and ideas to both ask for and offer support when someone is grieving.

Event Photos: Survivors come together both in-person and virtually in fellowship in Jacksonville, Florida.

With the support of TAPS, we are heading toward immense discovery to help illness loss survivors heal from the most traumatic events in our lives.

Share stories of your loved one or simply listen and find healing from other men who have experienced the loss of a loved one who has served in the military.

TAPS is grateful to the Senate and House co-sponsors who supported the resolution introducing 'Gold Star Children's Day.’

TAPS is here to celebrate, honor and support all of our nation's military surviving children - the living legacies of American service and sacrifice.

Nature can be a healer for us. Nature Heals written by Alan Wolfelt explores how to begin integrating it into your grief journey.

Video recording discussion on re-entry into the work place as a bereaved survivor and what that might look and feel like when trying to establish a routine.

Event Photos: Adult and Youth Survivors come together both in-person and virtually in fellowship in Los Angeles, California.

This Memorial May, TAPS proudly partnered once again with Carry The Load as a national, non-profit partner.

Event Photos: TAPS Survivors move beyond your comfort zone with the support of others who understand in Eagle Creek, Alaska.

Video recording discussion on the unique aspects and challenges of sibling death and discover ways to find hope living without your brother or sister.

Dignity Memorial helps newly bereaved military survivors by providing grief support materials connecting families with the TAPS Survivor Care Team.

Event Photos: TAPS Families attended the at USA Basketball Women's National Team v Australia held in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Volume 27, Issue 2

Event Photos: TAPS Families attended the Women's National Basketball Association All-Star Team v USA Basketball Women's National Team in Las Vegas.

Event Photos: TAPS Families attended the Major League Baseball All-Star Game held in Denver, Colorado.

TAPS surviving families learn to grieve as a family with new tools for the path ahead in Knoxville, Maryland.

Event Photos: TAPS Families attended the Washington Nationals Salute to Service Baseball game held in Washington, D.C.

This 4th of July, we thank you for your loved one's service to this country in defense of the freedoms we celebrate today.

This 4th of July holiday, we remember the statement located on the wall at the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C. "Freedom is Not Free."

A surviving mother finds a sense of peace and belonging with other Gold Star Families while celebrating the 4th of July without her son.

Returning to work after loss of a loved can be a positive experience if approached with care, knowledge and managed expectations for yourself and your employer.

Video recording discussion on the aspects of EMDR and why it is recognized as an evidence-based method of treatment for PTSD.

Gardening is much more than a hobby or fun pastime. In fact, there are many proven benefits of gardening that people enjoy.

Thirteen NFL teams, our largest amount to date worked alongside teams4taps to celebrate the lives of our Fallen Heroes in 2020.

Begin to understand your degree of loneliness and get tips for finding ways past your loneliness with this helpful guide from Dr. Wolfelt.

Video recording discussion on exploring rich entries into our life-stories through music, both literally and metaphorically.

Video recording discussion on the period of transition from caregiving to bereaved as well as ways to cope and support yourself through this process.

Event Photos: Team TAPS participated June 5 and 6 at the Armed Forces Cycling Classic to raise money and awareness for TAPS.

Interview with surviving military father, TAPS Peer Mentor and Army Vet on how coming together with other TAPS Families helps ease the pain.

"Winter, spring, summer or fall All you have to do is call. And I'll be there, yes I will. You've got a friend" - Carole King

Event Photos, May 28 - 31, 2021

Check out our highlight reels from the 27th Annual National Military Survivor Seminar over Memorial Day Weekend.

The Spotify playlist reflects the full spectrum of who we TAPS families are, what we’ve lost and what we’ve become.

This Memorial Day TAPS families remember those they love and those they honor.

Military Surviving spouse Lesliee Ojeda shares her experience as a survivor but also as a counselor helping others heal.

Together, we are stronger and continue to grow in our grief journey, honoring our heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy.

Video recording discussion on exploring how can we learn about grief leadership from the life and service of the iconic Marvel character, Captain America.

As we come together to honor our nation's fallen heroes, we pause to reflect on the life they led and the sacrifices made for the freedoms we enjoy every day.

Comfort and support for loss can come at unexpected times and in unexpected ways, to include from a receptionist at a dentist office.

After loss, it is still possible to thrive, learn and grow as a result of our experiences. And with TAPS, we thankfully don’t have to do either alone.

This Mother’s Day, a surviving daughter shares the important role her mom has played in shaping her young adult life both professionally and personally.

May is the Month of the Military Caregiver. During this time, we would like to pause for a moment and acknowledge your sacrifice as a caregiver.

Event Photos: TAPS survivors paddle by canoe through the Mark Twain National Forest of the southern Midwest.

When our loved ones serve, the whole family serves and the TAPS family will pause throughout May to recognize and remember.

The lives of those who we love and remember and honor are carved into our soul, imprinted on our hearts and woven into the fabric of our nation.

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance and solace but I also find joy for having known heroes that selflessly chose to serve a cause greater than themselves.

Video recording discussion on exploring some techniques to help cope with special memories and explore creative ways to commemorate your loved one.

Surviving spouse shares her family's story of navigating their grief and how they found a way to reconnect to the military community after their loss.

April is National Autism Awareness Month, and TAPS recognizes the unique ways that grief might be expressed by children and adults on the autism spectrum.

As flowers bloom, trees take their familiar green shape, and warmer weather greets us, we have an opportunity to explore new growth in ourselves as well.

"Though my pain has not been easy, grief is a journey, and it has birthed pain inspired purpose, and God has given me the strength to keep going."

Volume 27, Issue 1

As we celebrate Earth Day, Arbor Day and National Park week, we invite you to explore how your life intertwines with nature and its impacts on grief.

Video recording discussion on exploring key strategies and skills when working with people confronting grief, loss, trauma, illness and tragedy in all its forms.

For some bereaved, volunteering is a valued component of the healing journey and provides physical and mental health, social and financial benefits.

Event Photos: Survivors come together in person and virtually in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

As we walk together through our grief, let us pause to see the real splendor in nature and ponder ways to serve others while honoring our loved ones.

On this Purple Up! Day, we share stories of service and sacrifice from Legacy Mentors, in their own words.

Video recording discussion on how to increase understanding, communicate needs, and support different grieving styles among your family members.

Navigating our grief journey together and seeing the beauty that surrounds us can refuel us to reach out and connect with others at TAPS.

Is there a female from TAPS or elsewhere in your life that has provided support or been an inspiration to you along your grief journey?

TAPS events provide support, hope and well being to survivors of all ages. Learn more about our upcoming seminar, virtual events and outdoor expedition.

As survivors, we are all superheroes, facing our grief day in and day out. Find your supports and lean in on those who understand.

Washington Nationals "Families of Valor" program partners with teams4taps to bring hope and healing to TAPS families.

Event Photos: 2021 TAPS Togethers

A surviving daughter writes about the afflictions from Agent Orange exposure that has impacted so many military veterans including her father.

Each step of the way our TAPS Family has been there to support us and keep us connected virtually during the pandemic.

As we begin to slowly emerge from quarantine, many of us may be experiencing a sense of renewal as we venture back into activities and routines.

Video recording discussion on common ways we can be way too hard on ourselves after a loss, along with tips about how to be kinder to ourselves.

TAPS ensures 24/7 emotional support, casework assistance, virtual connection opportunities, and ongoing access to grief and trauma resources.

Often, music can help us express our feelings much easier than through writing or talking.

Read what skills and strengths other survivors have discovered about themselves after their loss.

Spring is the season of new beginnings, and we look forward to preparing the ground, planting seeds and growing with you in the journey to blooms.

The TAPS Family is diverse and beautiful. And while we each began our journeys in different ways; our paths have converged at this loving place called TAPS.

Event Photos: Survivors come together in person and virtually in Dallas Texas.

This past year, many of us have been left dreaming of vacations. Survivors share their favorite place that they went with their loved ones.

To our TAPS Family enduring the added stress of natural disasters in an already stressful time, our hearts are with you. You are not alone.

Video recording discussion on the realities of long term care and caregiving as well as review of federal insurance eligibility and program options for families.

Hear from survivors on how they cope when feelings of grief overcome them, even after a long time has passed since the death of their loved one.

During this period of quarantine, some have found the additional time to develop new hobbies or skills or have worked hard to enhance old skills.

Video recording discussion on powerful tools for reducing the components of debilitating stress for improved health and wellness.

Many families share traditions of watching or attending sporting events together. Read about special sports memories survivors had with their loved ones.

The TAPS Family is built on love. It is our foundation, our inspiration, our strength. Let us reflect on love - in all its forms.

Learn how Soft Belly Breathing and Shaking and Dancing can help us feel easier in ourselves and make us feel more comfortable connecting with others.

Survivors share about the comfort they have received from peer mentors and how meaningful those relationships have been for them.

To give and receive love is life’s most grand adventure and deepest valley, a painful darkness and a holy sanctuary.

Video recording discussion on how mindfulness can help you navigate loss, improve your health, and cultivate compassion for your grieving heart.

When friends or loved ones gather, often there is a sharing of food and conversation. Learn some of our survivors' loved ones favorite foods.

Event Photos: Volunteers assemble resource kits for TAPS Survivors at TAPS Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.

Thumbies, dog tags, quilts, shirts and bandannas are some of their loved ones' precious items survivors find comfort in wearing.

Video recording discussion on the six myths about grief, why they are still prevalent, and how we can successfully address them.

2020 has been a challenging year for so many in so many ways. Survivors look to 2021 with a fresh perspective, full of hope and seeking joy.

Find hope in the winter wilderness with an open heart and mind. Be open to what is and what is to come both in the winter and in our grief.

As we transition into a new year, we will forge new paths together in our hearts and set foot on trails we've yet to see. Together, we will explore the wild.

As we go into the new year after 2020, perhaps this year we choose to give ourselves the grace of making space to see what our internal voice has to teach us.

This has been an incredibly difficult year, but it is a year that has also given us gifts. We recognized that we are a family and we are stronger together.

TAPS President and Founder Bonnie Carroll sends a message of warmth and care to all military survivors as we begin the New Year.

We are stronger together. Don't go it alone. Find encouragement with a TAPS Peer Mentor and keep hope alive in 2021.