The TAPS Daily - October 29, 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. The Pentagon Now Has a Permanent Memorial to Families of the Fallen
   Military.com
   The Department of Defense unveiled a tribute to Gold Star families at the Pentagon, the newest addition to the numerous historical displays and tributes seen throughout the building.
2. Top officials were briefed on active threat against Pentagon leaders
   NBC News
   U.S. military, intelligence and law enforcement officials were briefed on a threat against the Pentagon's most senior leaders while they are on American soil, not just traveling overseas.
3. France on highest security alert after terror attack
   ABC News
   Three people are dead in a "suspected terror attack" that occurred at the Basilica of Notre-Dame in Nice, France, at 9 a.m. local time on Thursday.
4. Space Force's No. 2 General Tests Positive for COVID-19
   Military.com
   General David 'DT' Thompson, vice chief of space operations, tested positive Wednesday for COVID-19, Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said in a statement.
5. Here's how the National Guard is supporting the November 3 election
   Military Times
   The National Guard is gearing up to activate across the country to support the November 3 general election in several capacities.
6. Veterans and Gold Star Families Will Soon Have Free Admission to All National Parks
   Military.com
   National Parks, wildlife refuges and other federal lands will be free for veterans and Gold Star family members to use starting Veterans Day, Interior Department officials announced today.
7. Remote Marshall Islands Record First Confirmed Coronavirus Cases
   NPR
   Two people arriving from the U.S. on a military flight tested positive for the coronavirus in the Marshall Islands, marking the first case for the tiny archipelago.
8. Room 4714: The haunted history of West Point
   Task & Purpose
   Just in time for Halloween, discover the haunted history of the United States Military Academy.

• 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.

• Military and family members: It's not too late to vote by absentee ballot!
  Military Times
  If you’re a U.S. citizen overseas, including military and families, it’s not too late to vote —even if you haven’t received your requested absentee ballot from your election official.
• Senators ask about excess COVID-19 deaths
  CNN
  Three senators have asked the HHS Secretary and CDC director to explain the "highly alarming" excess of deaths in the U.S., above and beyond the 200,000 deaths directly attributed to COVID-19.
• Pennsylvania county will evaluate 9 mistakenly discarded military ballots
  Military Times
  Nine military ballots that authorities said were mistakenly discarded by a contracted elections worker in Pennsylvania have been linked to specific voters and can be considered for counting.
• Women less likely to receive retention pay at NSA
  Federal Times
  Female employees at the National Security Agency were less likely to receive individual retention incentives than their male colleagues during a 2019 audit.

• Veterans Crisis Line successful with COVID increased demand
  Connecting Vets
  In the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, the Veterans Crisis Line was able to handle the increased demand and transition to working remotely for many employees.
• During A Mental Health Crisis, A Family's Call To 911 Turns Tragic
  NPR
  The problems and perils of calling 911 for help with mental health.
• How To Get Through The Rest Of The Election Without Losing Your Mind
  Huffington Post
  The 2020 presidential race is a nail-biter, and we may not even be able to declare a victor on Nov. 3. Here's how to deal, according to therapists.
• Depression at work is skyrocketing, but it doesn't have to be new normal. Here's how to cope.
  Fingerprint for Success
  When we get back to our normal working lives, we might struggle to fit into our previous roles without knowing why.
• 'Time Cells' Found That Help Human Brain Relive Vivid Memories : Shots - Health News
  NPR
  Why some memories seem like movies: 'Time Cells' discovered in human brains.
• This study is recruiting troops for mild TBI research
  Military Times
  An upgraded MRI scanner could help detect mild traumatic brain injuries.

• Pentagon extends use of remote work platform to June 2021
  C4ISRnet
  The primary platform the U.S. Department of Defense has used to handle massive telework for employees will remain in place until at least June 2021.
• Marines Say Military Helicopter Did Not Hover Low Over Trump Campaign Rally
  Military.com
  The entire flight was conducted in accordance with U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps regulations, operating procedures and safety protocols.
• Kentucky National Guard to assist local officials on Election Day
  Military Times
  The Kentucky National Guard is preparing to assist local officials at polling locations in 38 counties on Election Day.
• VMI votes to remove Stonewall Jackson statue after allegations of racism
  The Hill
  Virginia Military Institute’s Board of Visitors voted to remove the statue of Stonewall Jackson after an investigation into allegations of racism by current and former Black cadets.
• Netflix made a military base closure-themed Christmas movie and we're excited
  Connecting Vets
  Netflix produced a Base Realignment and Closure-themed Christmas movie and named its creation "Operation Christmas Drop."
• New program allows soldiers to innovate from the bottom up
  Connecting Vets
  Amid government red tape and military bureaucracy, the “Shark Tank” like competition hopes to harvest new ideas from the bottom up.
• Navy petty officer, new father dies in motorcycle accident
  Navy Times
  A  Navy petty officer and new father died earlier this month in a motorcycle accident in San Diego, officials have confirmed.

• NASA Gave the Mercury 7 Astronauts This Impossible Choice
  Military.com
  Every one of the seven original astronauts was determined to be the first American in space and trained ferociously to be the man that NASA selected for the honor. Disney has supported meaningful opportunities for TAPS families of the fallen, including related to ‘The Right Stuff’, through the TAPS Sports & Entertainment program.
• More Veterans Gravitating Toward Home-Based Hospice Care
  Hospice.com
  Rates of hospice utilization were higher among veterans than other Medicare decedents, according to recent research.
• Veterans Day History and 2020 Teacher Resource Guide - VAntage Point
  VA.gov
  Use the Veterans Day 2020 Teachers Guide to plan out activities and help students learn more about America’s Veterans.

• New App Helps Military Families Connect with Resources
  CNN
  Military spouses and family members who are looking for up-to-date and reliable information from the Defense Department can now access Military OneSource on a smartphone app.
• Sesame Street for Military Families’ new Transitions in Health Care topic helps kids, parents
  DVIDS
  The Defense Health Agency has collaborated with our longtime partner, Sesame Workshop, on Transitions in Health Care.

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