Grieving Military Families Find Hope, Healing at TAPS Parents Retreat in Nashville
Families who have lost a son or daughter in the military gather to connect and honor their loved ones
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 3, 2018
ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Tragedy Assistance Program Survivors (TAPS) will host parents of America’s fallen military heroes at a retreat in Nashville April 4-8. The four-day event will be filled with healing activities and will offer attendees the opportunity to honor their loved one, as well as provide them with tools to cope with their grief.
“The TAPS Parents’ Retreat in Nashville will allow grieving family members to come together and participate in activities that encourage connection and help them find comfort and support,” said TAPS Founder and President Bonnie Carroll. “Grief is an extraordinarily complex and difficult journey, but no one has to walk the road alone.”
During their time in Nashville, retreat participants will take part in outdoor activities that build connection, honor their loved ones at opening and closing ceremonies, and take part in other events that will allow them to connect with others who have experienced a similar loss, creating lifelong bonds.
ABOUT TAPS
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the national organization providing compassionate care for the families of America’s fallen military heroes and has offered support to more than 75,000 surviving family members of our fallen military and their caregivers since 1994. TAPS provides peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, grief seminars and retreats for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, case work assistance, connections to community-based care, online and in-person support groups and a 24/7 resource and information helpline for all who have been affected by a death in the Armed Forces. Services are provided free of charge. For more information go to www.taps.org or call the toll-free TAPS resource and information helpline at 1.800.959.TAPS (8277).
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INTERVIEW
OPPORTUNITIES: On Thursday, April 5 from 2:15-5 p.m., media may interview, photograph and capture video of surviving parents as they participate outdoor activities including ziplining at Adventureworks Forest at Fontanel, 4129 Whites Creek Pike, Whites Creek, Tenn. Alternatively, they are available during horseback riding on April 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Juro Stables, 735 Carver Lane, Mt. Juliet, Tenn.; or at line dance lessons from noon to 1:45 p.m. on April 7 at Wildhorse Saloon, 120 2nd Avenue N, Nashville.
AVAILABLE
FOR INTERVIEW: Terri Jones, TAPS Survivor Care Team, and surviving mother of Army Reserve Spec. Jason Cooper, who died by suicide in 2005. Media are also invited to speak with surviving parents participating in the retreat.
MEDIA REQUESTS:
Please contact Rita Barry-Corke at rita@taps.org, or call 202-470-5702 to cover any part of the retreat or arrange interviews with TAPS staff or surviving families.