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Families of America’s Fallen Military Heroes Come Together in West Virginia

Five-Day Survivor Retreat to Promote Hope and Healing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 27, 2018

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) will host family members of America’s fallen military heroes at a healing retreat in Lansing, W.Va. from August 29 to September 2. The five-day healing retreat along the New River Gorge will offer challenging activities designed to help fellow bereaved family members honor their loved ones, connect with peers who understand their loss and gain new tools to cope with grief.

“The TAPS Retreat in West Virginia gives grieving military families the chance to connect with others who have walked in their shoes,” said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS president and founder and a 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. “Through challenging activities and quiet moments of reflection, our families will find healing in sharing each other’s company and being in the peaceful serenity of nature.”

MEDIA OPPPORTUNITIES:

Thursday, Aug. 30 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Interview opportunity with TAPS peer professional staff members and participating surviving loved ones during lunch time at Adventures on the Gorge resort.

Friday, Aug. 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Opportunity to capture b-roll during white water rafting activity on the New River Gorge (media access at Fayette Station Road).

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS:

  • Deb Lucey, TAPS Deputy Director, Survivor Care Team and surviving sister of Marine Cpl. Jeffrey Lucey
  • Chris Shank, TAPS Survivor Care Team and surviving brother of Army Cpl. Jeremy R. Shank
  • Tricia Kirk, surviving wife of Army Capt. Michael Tarlavsky and local of Morgantown, W.Va.

MEDIA RSVP REQUESTED:

Please email Rita Barry-Corke at media@taps.org or call her at O: (202) 588-8722 (TAPS), C: (860) 304-1807 to arrange interviews with TAPS staff or participants or attend any part of the retreat.

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ABOUT TAPS

The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the leading national organization providing compassionate care and survivor support services for the families of America’s fallen military heroes. Since 1994, TAPS has offered support to more than 80,000 survivors of fallen military in the form of 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).