The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
Celebrates the Introduction of the Gold Star Families Remembrance Week Resolution
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 16, 2021
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is pleased to celebrate the bipartisan resolution designating September 19-25, 2021, as Gold Star Families Remembrance Week. For nearly three decades, TAPS has provided hope, healing, and resources to all those grieving the death of a military loved one, of all relationships and causes of death.
Gold Star Families Remembrance Week recognizes the sacrifices of all those who died while serving or from a service connected injury or illness. The resolution was introduced on September 15, 2021, by U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) and U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA). TAPS fully supports the resolution and is honored to stand alongside Senators Hyde-Smith and Warnock, and many military and veteran support organizations who endorsed it.
“We commend the Senate for passage of this resolution which recognizes the extraordinary and ongoing sacrifice of families who have lost loved ones serving in our Armed Forces,” said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS President and Founder. “We are heartened by the inclusiveness of the resolution that guarantees that no surviving military family is forgotten in this time of national commemoration.”
“Just as we owe an enormous debt to every service member who lost their life defending our nation, we also owe tribute to the families who share in that sacrifice. They bear the heavy weight of grief and deserve to be honored. Gold Star Families Remembrance Week seeks to recognize these families and their solemn contributions to the defense of our nation,” said Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. “I’m thankful to organizations like TAPS that work ceaselessly to provide resources, comfort, and care to surviving families and loved ones.”
“As a nation, we owe a tremendous debt to the families of service members who gave everything in defense of our freedoms. That’s why I’m so proud to stand with advocates for our military family survivors, like TAPS, to introduce the bipartisan Gold Star Families Remembrance Week resolution, honoring the immense sacrifice these families have made in service of their country,” said Sen. Warnock. “Gold Star Families, in Georgia and across the nation, deserve our recognition as they navigate life without their loved ones—and I will keep fighting in the Senate to ensure the federal government is doing its part to honor our fallen heroes by providing their families with steadfast support.”
The Gold Star Families Remembrance Week resolution recognizes the sacrifices of fallen service members, veterans and their families. It encourages Americans to perform acts of community service and goodwill to honor our fallen heroes and their families.
Commemoration of Gold Star Families Remembrance Week also serves as a build up to Gold Star Mother’s and Family Day (September 26), which has been observed on the last Sunday of September by presidential proclamation since 1936.
Read the full text of the resolution.
To request an interview with TAPS President and Founder, Bonnie Carroll, or a surviving family member, please email media@taps.org; or call (202) 588-TAPS (8277) to speak with someone on the TAPS Communications team.
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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 all those grieving the death of a military loved one through peer-based emotional support, connections with grief and trauma resources, grief seminars and retreats for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, casework assistance, connections to community-based care, online and in-person support groups and the 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline, all at no cost to surviving families. For more information, please visit TAPS.org or call 202.588.TAPS (8277).