Contributions for 2025


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If Our Sons Were to Meet

A poem written in loving memory of two special Marines and in recognition of the friendship of two surviving moms, written by a surviving mother.

5/19/2025 - Martha von Diezelski Maxey
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A Father’s Promise

Between 200 and 300 bikers from AmVets Post 176 Memorial Poker Run ride roughly 110 miles annually to celebrate a Marine's life and what he sacrificed.

5/15/2025 - Robert Gilbert
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A Grateful Memorial Day

A note as we head into Memorial Day weekend

5/15/2025 - Dr. Carla Stumpf Patton, LMHC
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The Story Behind the Wheel of Aaron’s Car

A surviving fathers honors his son's service by remembering who he was and what he loved and finds healing in the process.

5/8/2025 - Jim Gennock
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Recipes to Remember

Lieutenant Joe Cimini was an excellent cook. His surviving spouse shares a couple of his favorite recipes.

5/1/2025 - Liz Cimini
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“The Unicorn” Song

Read about the heartwarming story behind the TAPS tradition of singing "The Unicorn Song" with General Dempsey every Memorial Day weekend.

4/29/2025 - Kristi Stolzenberg
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Lake of the Ozarks Parent's Retreat

Event Photos: TAPS Surviving Parents create new bonds, start new memories and honor our loved ones at Lake of the Ozarks, Lincoln, Missouri.

4/27/2025 - TAPS Media
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teams4taps Detroit Lions Draft Pick

Event Photos: The TAPS family of U.S. Army Specialist Christopher Kube announced the Detroit Lions Draft pick with teams4taps in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

4/25/2025 - TAPS Media
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Embracing the Sadness of Grief

Sadness plays an essential role toward healing. It forces us to regroup — physically, cognitively, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

4/24/2025 - Alan Wolfelt
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teams4taps Texas Rangers Meet and Greet with Jon Gray

Event Photos: TAPS families attend a Texas Rangers Meet and Greet with Jon Gray in Arlington, Texas.

4/19/2025 - TAPS Media
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Video: A Breath of Fresh Air — How Rachel's Grief Journey Led Her to the Outdoors

Rachel Hunsell is on a 58 day journey across the nation as a tribute to her brother Lance Corporal Kyle Price, killed in Iraq in 2006.

4/18/2025 - TAPS Media
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Video: Grieving Men Find Healing at TAPS after Loss

TAPS recognizes that men require the support of fellow men to navigate their grief in a way that feels authentic to them, free from any expectations.

4/17/2025 - TAPS Media
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Small World, Big TAPS Family

A surviving widow shares how two families came together because of two incredible losses, but with those losses came priceless friendships.

4/17/2025 - Jessica Kavanagh
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Video: The Power of Story – Shaping Your World Through Narrative

Video discussion to look at the ways that grief changes us and ideas for embracing a growth mindset as we adapt to life after loss.

4/15/2025 - Andy McNiel
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Zion National Park All Populations Retreat

Event Photos: TAPS adult survivors explore the earth's wildernesses and their emotions at Zion National Park in Springdale, Utah.

4/13/2025 - TAPS Media
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TAPS Men Mentoring Men Young Adult Warrior Rizen Experience

Event Photos: TAPS Young Adults partner with the Men's Programs in this experience for mentoring and connecting in Morgan, Utah at Warrior Rizen Ranch.

4/13/2025 - TAPS Media
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Parenting in Grief: Modeling Virtues That Promote Positive Growth

TAPS Youth Programs 2025 theme builds on this concept by focusing on behaviors or character traits we learn, practice, and develop as we grieve.

4/10/2025 - Andy McNiel
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teams4taps Washington Nationals Salute to Service Baseball Game

Event Photos: TAPS Families attend the teams4taps Washington Nationals Salute to Service Baseball Game in Washington D.C.

4/8/2025 - TAPS Media
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California Family Camp

Event Photos: TAPS surviving families learn to grieve as a family with new tools for the path ahead at Camp Bob Waldorf in Glendale, California.

4/6/2025 - TAPS Media
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Grief and Fiction

A surviving mother shares how writing helped in the healing process and gives some ideas for others to get started writing too.

4/3/2025 - Joan Donaldson
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TAPS Survivor Newsletter April 2025

As we head into April, the National Month of Hope, our TAPS Family is here to help you find hope and healing in your own time and hold on to it.

4/2/2025 - TAPS Media
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Video: TAPS Outdoors Presents a Breath of Fresh Air

TAPS Outdoors is going on the road, exploring our Nation's public lands and waters, and opening ourselves up to awe, mile by mile, step by step.

4/1/2025 - TAPS Media
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TAPS Young Adults Lake Placid Olympic Experience

Event Photos: TAPS Young Adults partner with Olympic Coaches and athletes as they are guided through winter activities in Lake Placid.

3/30/2025 - TAPS Media
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teams4taps Wizards vs Pacers Game

Event Photos: TAPS Families attend the Wizards vs Pacers Game in Washington D.C.

3/27/2025 - TAPS Media
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The Stumps and Zips in Our Lives

What stumps or zip lines do you have in your life? Do you cherish and hold on to every memory of your loved one or too afraid and practice avoidance?

3/27/2025 - Gregory Jacobs
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Video: 2025 TAPS Military Mentor of the Year Award Recipient

This year's recipient, Army Veteran Staff Sergeant Jay Hufford (Ret.), was honored for ongoing participation in TAPS and his lasting positive impact on each child.

3/25/2025 - TAPS Media
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Video: 2025 TAPS Senator Ted Stevens Leadership Award Recipient

This year's recipient, Head Coach Dan Quinn, was honored for his heartfelt dedication to honoring fallen service members and their families.

3/25/2025 - TAPS Media
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TAPS Honor Guard Gala

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

3/25/2025 - TAPS Media
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Video: TAPS Honor Guard Gala Highlights

At the Gala, we remember the love of our fallen heroes, celebrate their lives and share the stories of the journey we have with our TAPS family.

3/25/2025 - TAPS Media
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teams4taps FC Liverpool Experience

Event Photos: US and UK Families celebrate the life and service of fallen loved ones with LFC Foundation along side Home Base and SSAFA.

3/21/2025 - TAPS Media
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TAPS Magazine Spring 2025

Volume 31, Issue 1

3/21/2025 - TAPS Quarterly Magazine
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Video: The Power of Story – Navigating the Mental Maps We Create

Part 2 video discussion on how to recognize the stories guiding your life and learn practical tools to become the deliberate author of your journey.

3/18/2025 - Jesse Tubb
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TAPS Survivor Newsletter March 2025

As the weather warms, it's a wonderful opportunity to embrace the outdoors and reconnect with your community.

3/5/2025 - TAPS Media
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Video: Supporting Veterans — Navigating Grief with Understanding and Compassion

Video discussion on the unique challenges veterans face when coping with loss, highlighting the impact of military experiences on emotional well-being.

3/4/2025 - William Wagasy
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Georgia Family Camp

Event Photos: TAPS surviving families learn to grieve as a family with new tools for the path ahead at Camp Southern Ground in Fayetteville, Georgia.

3/3/2025 - TAPS Media
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Alaska Iditarod Survivor Experience

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

3/2/2025 - TAPS Media
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TAPS Young Adults Heroes Journey

Event Photos: TAPS Young Adults lean into focus of self-discovery and self-care through creative expression in Tampa, Florida.

3/2/2025 - TAPS Media
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teams4taps Rangers Experience

Event Photos: TAPS Families attend the Rangers Experience in Glasgow, Scotland.

3/1/2025 - TAPS Media
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Video: Washington Capitals Release 50th Anniversary Courage Caps

The Washington Capitals and MSE (Monumental Sports and Entertainment) Foundation announced special edition 50th anniversary Courage Caps.

2/28/2025 - TAPS Media
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Video: TAPS Policy and Legislative Update

Video discussion on how the TAPS Government and Legislative Affairs team is advocating for ALL Survivors on Capitol Hill on a variety of issues.

2/25/2025 - Candace Wheeler - Ashlynne Haycock-Lohmann
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Tom and Sharon Chisholm Fundraiser

Event Photos: TAPS fundraiser held in Jupiter, Florida by hosts Tom and Sharon Chisholm

2/20/2025 - TAPS Media
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teams4taps NBA All-Star Events

Event Photos: TAPS Families attend the NBA All-Star practice and game in Oakland, California.

2/15/2025 - TAPS Media
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Video: Reinvesting in Life After Loss

Video discussion on exploring changes that happen after loss and areas of our lives that are transformed through our experience of grief.

2/11/2025 - Andy McNiel
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teams4taps NFL Pro Bowl Experience

Event Photos: The National Football League hosted TAPS Families at NFL Practice/Skills showdown, Disney World, and the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games.

2/3/2025 - TAPS Media
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TAPS Survivor Newsletter February 2025

Though we end each year in winter, it’s also how we begin each year. It’s a reminder that growth is still happening, and hope is all around.

2/3/2025 - TAPS Media
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You’re Not Crazy — You’re Grieving — Part Six

This is the final article in a six-part series to serve as a reminder that crazy is normal when grieving. It is adapted from Dr. Wolfelt's new book.

2/1/2025 - Alan Wolfelt
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Savannah Women's Empowerment Winter Retreat

Event Photos: TAPS surviving women create a plan for healing and growth in Savannah, Georgia.

1/31/2025 - TAPS Media
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Video: The Power of Story – Shaping Your World Through Narrative

Video discussion on how to recognize the stories guiding your life and learn practical tools to become the deliberate author of your journey.

1/28/2025 - Jesse Tubb
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Breaking Barriers and Building Strength: My Journey to the Ice Track

TAPS Education Support Service Advocate is competing in the Empire State Winter Games this month, read his words of inspiration.

1/26/2025 - Brandon Blackmore
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Growing Up TAPS: Leaning Into Your Influence as a Parent

Parents have the power to teach, shape, encourage, lift, support, and impact their lives like no one else. Let’s explore how to tap into that power.

1/24/2025 - Andy McNiel
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From Peer to Peer

If you are an adult survivor and ready to comfort and give hope to another bereaved person, consider becoming a TAPS Peer Mentor.

1/15/2025 - Heather Gray Blalock
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Video: Mentoring Through the Eyes of a Senior Mentor

Video discussion hearing from those who have walked the path of mentorship with empathy, dedication, and wisdom.

1/14/2025 - Karl Hillway
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Picking Up the Pieces

As the pieces of our lives scatter after a loss, finding a way to put them back together can seem overwhelming.

1/5/2025 - Chris Beck
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Wintering With Awe

TAPS Outdoor Programs Manager is passionate about connecting survivors to the healing power of nature as part of their grief process.

1/3/2025 - Rachel Hunsell
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TAPS Survivor Newsletter January 2025

The new year brings opportunities to grow with your grief, honor your fallen hero, and embrace your community of peers at TAPS.

1/2/2025 - TAPS Media