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Battelle Sponsors TAPS Midwest Regional Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp in Ohio

TAPS Seminar Brings Bereaved Adults and Children Together to Form Connections, Learn Coping Strategies and Honor Their Loved Ones

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 25, 2019

ARLINGTON, Va. – Bereaved families of fallen U.S. military service members will come together at the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) Midwest Regional Seminar and Good Grief Camp from Aug. 2-4, 2019 in Cleveland. The event, made possible by the generous support of Battelle, will bring together hundreds of family members grieving a fallen service member to tell their stories of love and loss, learn ways to cope with their grief and find healing in their shared experiences.

“TAPS regional seminars bring together military families grieving a fallen hero and provide support, resources and compassionate care,” said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS President and Founder and 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. “Through these TAPS weekends of sharing held across the country, grieving military families find comfort and healing as they honor those who have served and died. TAPS is grateful to Battelle for recognizing the sacrifices made by all those who serve in the armed forces. Battelle is honoring our nation’s fallen heroes by providing this exceptional program of care for their families.”

For adults, the three-day seminar will feature sessions led by experts in the fields of grief and loss, suicide and trauma. Throughout the weekend, bereaved military families will get to know each other in a relaxed, welcoming setting where they can share memories of their fallen heroes and find comfort, hope and healing in hearing each other’s stories.

Children and teens at the seminar will attend the TAPS Good Grief Camp, where they will gain a network of friends their own age who are also grieving a fallen military hero. Experts in the fields of child development, mental health and education will help the children and young adults process their grief and embrace healing through games, crafts and other age-appropriate activities.

The children will be joined by specially trained TAPS Military Mentors, who will provide companionship and support during the seminar and beyond. Active duty military members and recent veterans interested in volunteering as TAPS Military Mentors should visit www.taps.org/militarymentor.

Battelle has partnered with TAPS for several years to support bereaved military families whose loved ones selflessly sacrificed for our country. On Thursday, Aug. 1, ahead of the TAPS Midwest Regional Seminar, Battelle CEO Lou Von Thaer and his wife, Jennifer Massanova, will host TAPS for an evening reception at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio to increase awareness of TAPS programs and services.

“I’ve been involved with TAPS for some time and have served as a board member for the past several years,” Von Thaer said. “I’ve personally witnessed the care and love they give to our surviving military (and contractor) families—no pity, but deep empathy and caring.”

INTERVIEW AVAILABILITY:

On Thursday, Aug. 1, Battelle CEO Lou Von Thaer and his wife, Jennifer Massanova, will host TAPS from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for an evening reception at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio to increase awareness of TAPS programs and services.

On Saturday, Aug. 3, opening ceremonies for the TAPS Midwest Regional Seminar will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. to welcome families of fallen service members to the seminar. Interviews are available following the ceremony with TAPS President and Founder Bonnie Carroll, grief experts and family members attending.  

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS:

  • Bonnie Carroll, TAPS President and Founder
  • Lou Von Thaer, Battelle CEO and member, TAPS Board of Directors
  • Renowned experts on grief and traumatic loss
  • Families from across the region grieving a fallen service member

MEDIA RSVP:

Please contact Victoria Leoni at victoria.leoni@taps.org or (571) 385-2570 to arrange interviews with TAPS staff or participants or attend any part of the seminar.

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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 85,000 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).  

ABOUT BATTELLE

Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle makes the world better by commercializing technology, giving back to our communities, and supporting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. For more information, visit www.battelle.org.