The TAPS Daily - November 19, 2020

Welcome to The TAPS Daily - curated news and resources relevant to military, veterans, and their families. For more news and resources, visit our Government Resources page.

1. Virus won't stop 65th year of NORAD tracking Santa on Christmas Eve
   Air Force Times
   Children of the world can rest easy. The global pandemic won’t stop them from tracking Santa Claus’ progress as he delivers gifts around the globe on Christmas Eve.
2. Holiday Season Guidance to Minimize Spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019
   Defense.gov
   The Defense Department released the Holiday Season Guidance to Minimize Spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 for service members and DoD employees.
3. U.S. military reports record 1,300 coronavirus cases in one day
   The Hill
   U.S. officials recorded more than 1,300 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 among members of the armed forces on Tuesday, a new record for the military over a 24-hour period, CNN reported.
4. "We're alarmed": CDC advises Americans not to travel for Thanksgiving amid coronavirus surge
   Axios
   The CDC issued new guidance on Thursday advising Americans not to travel for Thanksgiving, warning doing so may increase the chance of getting and spreading COVID-19.
5. 12 Million To Lose Jobless Benefits The Day After Christmas Unless Congress Acts
   NPR
   The day after Christmas, millions of Americans will lose their jobless benefits, according to a new study. And that could spell financial ruin for many people.
6. National Zoo is asking the public to help name giant panda cub
   Today
   The Smithsonian's National Zoo's panda cub is finally getting a name, and you can help pick it.

• Why do we need to be aware that children grieve?
  Military Times
  The support children receive from the adults in their lives directly impacts their mental, emotional, social, and physical health now and as they grow into adulthood. TAPS has been providing bereavement care to children, teenagers, and adults for the past 26 years.
• New “Talk About Grief” Campaign Aims to Help Families Cope with Loss this Holiday Season
  Global Newswire
  Campaign launched on Children’s Grief Awareness Day has celebrities sharing their stories to help the one in five U.S. children mourning a significant loss from COVID-19 and other causes.
• TAPS Quick Series - Children's Grief Guide
  TAPS
  This guide can help you understand how grief affects children, and it offers ways to help children through the grieving process.
• Webinar: Grief Support for Military Children - A Guide for School Personnel
  TAPS
  A webinar to support school professionals and all those who work with school aged children who may be grieving the loss of a loved one.
• 7 Ways to Help Grieving Children During the Holidays
  TAPS
  Author and yoga therapist Heather Stang shares useful tips to help grieving children during the holidays and throughout the year.
• A special horse helps children of fallen heroes
  TAPS
  “I am thankful that TAPS gave me an opportunity to meet Klinger and say THANK YOU to him for carrying my dad’s body to his final resting ground in Arlington.”
• Helping Grieving Military Children
  TAPS
  “Grieving children need to feel that they are being heard and understood.”
• What Kids Want Their Adults to Know about Grief
  TAPS
  If we are willing to listen, these youngest survivors have much to teach their adults about grief and mourning.
• Grade Schoolers and Military Loss
  TAPS
  Military families know resilience. But, for grade schoolers, when a loved one is lost in the military, there is an incredible amount of trauma.
• Talking to Children About Suicide
  TAPS
  One of the most challenging issues following a death by suicide is what and how to tell children.
• Explaining Death to Children
  Sesame Street for Military Families
  The death of a loved one brings enormous challenges. This section offers support for your family as you face this difficult time.

• Video: Creating New Holiday Traditions while Honoring the Past
  Video recording discussion on creative ways to make this holiday season more meaningful in your grief journey.
• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors Upcoming Events
  Make plans to join your TAPS Family at an upcoming event.
• TAPS News Archive
  Catch up on all the TAPS news stories over the years on the TAPS media resource page.

• Army must review discharges for troops kicked out for mental health, sexual assault trauma
  The Hill
  Thousands of Army veterans discharged due to mental illness or sexual assault trauma were handed a legal victory that offers a chance for them to change the status of their dismissal.
• Military pay raise at risk in dispute over Confederate bases
  Connecting Vets
  An annual defense policy measure that has passed Congress every year since the Kennedy administration is in danger of cratering next month over military bases named for Confederates.
• Top GOP post on House Armed Services Committee draws tough competition
  Defense News
  The decision on who replaces Representative Mac Thornberry as top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee will resolve in a few weeks, but the campaign has been underway for years.
• Lawmakers want DoD Family Advocacy Program improved to help domestic violence victims
  Military Times
  In an effort aimed at reducing domestic violence in the ranks, a pair of senators is pushing for widespread improvements to the Defense Department’s Family Advocacy Program.
• Department of the Air Force restores previous military tuition assistance cap, AF COOL funding
  AF.mil
  Effective immediately the Air Force restored military tuition assistance to $4,500 per fiscal year and Credentialing Opportunities Online preparatory course funding for fiscal year 2021.
• Key lawmaker hunts trail of Pentagon, State Department resistance to Afghanistan troop cuts
  Defense News
  A Democratic-led oversight panel has asked the Trump administration to turn over all internal documents relevant to the pullout decision of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
• Senate committee calls for large cuts in Marine Corps end strength
  Marine Corps Times
  The Senate Appropriations Committee on November 10 ― the Marine Corps' birthday ― proposed a massive personnel cut for the Corps; one going beyond any other current proposal.
• Telehealth: Health care from the safety of our homes
  HHS.gov
  While we are all taking steps to be safe during this pandemic, we cannot ignore health concerns. Telehealth keeps us connected — even while social distancing during COVID-19.

• International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day
  TAPS
  International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is on Saturday, November 21, 2020 and is intended to be a day of healing throughout the world.
• Seeking the Military Suicide Solution Podcast, Episode 42: Colonel Rob Swanson, suicide survivor
  Military Times
  This podcast examines military and veterans suicide, offering new insights based on research and effective clinical and peer support practices in suicide prevention.
• It's OK to Not Be OK During the Holidays
  Psychology Today
  You are not alone, and there are numerous ways to feel supported through the holiday blues, as well as in challenging, non-holiday times.

• Sexual assault and harassment prevention program 'hasn't achieved its mandate,' says SecArmy
  Army Times
  “The Army’s SHARP program hasn’t achieved its mandate to eliminate sexual assaults and sexual harassment by creating a climate that respects the dignity of every member of the Army family.”
• Parents of soldier who died by suicide after sexual assaults blame "complete failure of the Army"
  CBS News
  "They knew this and they did nothing. Until they sent us home a flag-draped coffin."
• Army Field Band Begins Practice for Presidential Inauguration Despite Coronavirus Disruptions
  Military.com
  Only about 25% of the band attended practice, as COVID-19 precautions have prevented the entire group of 99 from joining together.
• The 1st Black Female Brigade Commander At Naval Academy: 'I Have The Heart To Do It'
  NPR
  Midshipman 1st Class Sydney Barber will become the first Black woman to serve as brigade commander at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
• 'We Don't Want History to Get Lost:' Fort Bragg PAO Proposes Way to Preserve Veteran Photos
  Military.com
  The 18th Airborne Corps' Dragon Innovation program allows soldiers and family members to pitch ideas and solutions to improve quality of life or readiness across the corps.

• The Pandemic Means Veterans and Their Caregivers Need Your Help More Than Ever
  Military.com
  In the best of times, military caregiving exacts a steep personal toll. Now, confronted by the threat of COVID-19, caregivers are reaching their breaking point.
• Prince Harry Says Military Service Changed His Life 'For The Better'
  Huffington Post
  Prince Harry opened up about his decade of military service ― and how it affected his life ― at the 14th annual Stand Up for Heroes event on Wednesday night.

• App for Military Resources Available to Service Members, Families
  Defense.gov
  The "My Military OneSource" mobile app is now available for service members and their families for free by downloading it on Google Play or the Apple App Store.
• These military kids found an ingenious way to talk to their deployed dad
  Military Times
  These military children are leaving messages for their dad using their doorbell service.

Banner photo courtesy of the School of Advanced International Studies | John Hopkins University.