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Video: Teton Ridge Foundation Honors TAPS Families at The American Rodeo Video: Teton Ridge Foundation Honors TAPS Families at The American Rodeo Teton Ridge Foundation Teton Ridge Foundation gave recognition and honor to over 250 surviving military families at The American Rodeo in Arlington, Texas on March 6, 2022. We thank Teton Ridge Foundation for their generous gift in support of TAPS. Support the mission, donate today. Select image below to play. the american rodeo, america's fallen heroes, help for military families Teton Ridge Foundation gave reco
Video: 27 Years - 27 Ways Video: 27 Years - 27 Ways TAPS Media TAPS was founded 27 years ago! In commemoration of this anniversary we'd like to share 27 ways in which TAPS provides help, hope, and healing to the families of America's fallen heroes. Support the mission, donate today. Select image below to play. taps anniversary, america's fallen heroes, help for military families TAPS was founded 27 years ago! In commemoration, we share 27 ways in which TAPS provides help, hope, and healing to the families of A
Giving to Help the Families of our Fallen Military Giving to Help the Families of our Fallen Military TAPS Why do I donate to the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) each year via the Combined Federal Campaign? It’s because of Memorial Day Weekend 2007. This weekend forever changed my perspective on life. It was the beginning of a journey which would lead me to becoming a “TAPS-aholic.” With no knowledge of what to expect that first weekend of volunteering, I just hoped to make a positive impact on a young child’s life at
TAPS Good Grief Camp Mentor Shares About Giving to Help the Families of our Fallen Military TAPS Good Grief Camp Mentor Shares About Giving to Help the Families of our Fallen Military TAPS There are many worthwhile causes to donate to during the Combined Federal Campaign, but none have left its "finger prints" on my life like TAPS has. Little did I know how volunteering one Memorial Day Weekend in 2006 would change my life forever and provide me with an organization that I would not only love, but give my time, money and support to. While others are remembering the service of those
We Find Our Strength Together We Find Our Strength Together TAPS Our TAPS family makes memories beyond the seminars and retreats, in small towns and big cities, in communities across America. We enjoy family meals and experience new adventures together. We come together for TAPS Care Groups or to attend sporting events or to take in special events of all sorts. We call these opportunities to be with our new found friends “TAPS Togethers,” one-day events in communities across the country bringing surviving military famili
TAPS Impact Report 2023 TAPS Impact Report 2023 TAPS Impact Full Screen Download PDF Donate NOw To Impact Our Grieving Military Families //
TAPS Survivor Newsletter February 2024 TAPS Survivor Newsletter February 2024 TAPS Media C.S. Lewis once wrote, “No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.” Fear, anxiousness, and uneasiness — as TAPS Advisory Board Member Dr. Alan Wolfelt explains — are all normal reactions to loss. In part two of his series, “You’re Not Crazy — You’re Grieving,” Dr. Wolfelt explains why fear and grief go hand in hand, and he offers coping tools to guide you through this part of the grief journey. Read on to learn more about your emotions
Caregiver to Survivor (C2S) Partnership Executive Summary 2023 Caregiver to Survivor (C2S) Partnership Executive Summary 2023 TAPS Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Network Elizabeth Dole Foundation For more information, visit the Caregiver to Survivor page. Full Screen Download PDF Donate NOw To Impact Our Grieving Military Families //
Caregiver to Survivor (C2S) Partnership Report 2023 Caregiver to Survivor (C2S) Partnership Report 2023 TAPS Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Network Elizabeth Dole Foundation For more information, visit the Caregiver to Survivor page. Full Screen Download PDF Donate NOw To Impact Our Grieving Military Families //
TAPS Impact Report 2022 TAPS Impact Report 2022 TAPS Impact Full Screen Download PDF Donate NOw To Impact Our Grieving Military Families //
TAPS Impact Report 2021 TAPS Impact Report 2021 TAPS Impact Full Screen Download PDF Donate NOw To Impact Our Grieving Military Families //
TAPS Impact Report 2020 TAPS Impact Report 2020 TAPS Impact Full Screen Download PDF Donate NOw To Impact Our Grieving Military Families //
Video: Thinking of You Video: Thinking of You TAPS Media The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) leads the effort to bring hope and healing to those who experience the loss of a military hero. TAPS provides support for our nation’s military survivors at events like the National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp. Through TAPS, thousands of military survivors are gathered together this Memorial Day weekend in a safe space where they can honor their fallen heroes amidst the backdrop of our nat
Gates Foundation #GivingTuesday match November 28 Gates Foundation #GivingTuesday Match TAPS On #GivingTuesday, Facebook and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will be matching up to $2 million of funds raised for U.S. nonprofits through Facebook's charitable giving tools. Donations can be matched up to $50,000 per nonprofit! There is a max of $1,000 per individual supporter fundraiser or donate button and the match only lasts until the $2 million in matching funds run out. TAPS supporters should prepare in advance by setting
Team TAPS Runners Participate in the TCS New York City Marathon Team TAPS Runners Participate in the TCS New York City Marathon TAPS Kelly McHugh Stewart is running the TCS New York City Marathon this weekend to honor the life and legacy of her father, LTC John McHugh. He was a marathoner, but never had the opportunity to run the New York City race. Kelly has been training for months to run with Team TAPS and is near her fundraising goal of $3,000 to help raise awareness and money for families of the fallen. Stewart was only 18 when her father died in A
Giving Back and Paying it Forward Giving Back and Paying it Forward TAPS TAPS relies on the generosity of its supporters to fund the critical resources, programs, and services vital to the healing of those who have lost a military loved one. The TAPS mission is a 24/7 effort, and the TAPS Development Team strives to accomplish two goals: (1) share the TAPS mission of hope and healing, and (2) raise funds necessary to support our military survivors. The COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020; the country was uncertain about its ec
TAPS Good Grief Camp Wreath Book TAPS Good Grief Camp Wreath Book TAPS Each year at the Annual National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp held over Memorial Day weekend, children from the Good Grief Camp and TAPS volunteers come together to create a wreath to honor their special loved one. This handmade wreath is then laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Memorial Day. This book is filled with photos taken in May 2023 of the making of this traditional wreath. It was created by TAPS and gifted to the 89th Air
Colorado Celebrity Classic Raises over $330,000 for TAPS Colorado Celebrity Classic Raises over $330,000 for TAPS Christine Burtt The Colorado Celebrity Classic hosted its 14th Annual Saluting Our Fallen Heroes Dinner & Songwriters Show on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at the Grove Family Ranch in Centennial, Colorado. About 518 guests enjoyed an evening of fun and music and raised more than $330,000 for TAPS. Headliner Pam Tillis, a two-time Grammy and Country Music Award winner and daughter of country music legend, Mel Tillis, was joined with a pa
Yuengling Lagers for Heroes Salute Veterans and Their Families Yuengling Lagers for Heroes Salute Veterans and Their Families TAPS TAPS is proud to have the support of America's Oldest Brewery, D.G. Yuengling & Son during the month of May as together we raise a toast to honor our military heroes. Fiercely independent for nearly 190 years, Yuengling is thankful and proud of the brave and dedicated service men and women who make tremendous sacrifices and represent our country's freedom, honor and independence. The military has always been a community with
Re-Creating Holiday Traditions Re-Creating Holiday Traditions Tina Barrett Ideas for Families Facing Very Different Holidays Holidays can be stressful, even during the best of times. For families grieving a loved one, significant dates hold even more emotional intensity and complexity. Reminders of the season — lights, music, decorations, and gift-giving — may seem out of sync with internal feelings or may trigger painful memories for families facing a very different holiday. The following are a few ideas fo
Thank You for Supporting Our Mission in 2022 Thank You for Supporting Our Mission in 2022 TAPS TAPS is grateful for the incredible outpouring of support we received in 2022. We are humbled that so many members of our TAPS family brought us along as they honored their loved one; we applaud the communities around the country who gathered to pay tribute to local heroes; and we sincerely thank our growing circle of supporters for sharing the TAPS mission. When you fundraise for TAPS, you are doing so much more than raising money. You are he
Make the Most of Time at Home: Share Your Loved One’s Story Make the Most of Time at Home: Share Your Loved One’s Story Kerry Ward As we navigate these uncertain times, I have found that there is a silver lining with spending more time in the house: it has forced me to focus on projects I hadn’t yet had time to tackle. As I cleaned out my hall closet, I found myself face-to-face with memories I hadn’t thought about in years. I called an old friend and told her about a specific photo that featured a silly picture of her brother, who had passed away a f
Camaraderie and Comfort Camaraderie and Comfort TAPS In small towns and big cities, at a coffee shop in a quiet room—the comfort and camaraderie of your TAPS family is right around the corner and close to home. Whether you want to talk about your grief and gain insight into how others are coping, share a casual visit or participate in an activity where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of nature—the love and care of TAPS is present where you live, work and play. TAPS Togethers and Care Groups are relaxed, casual
Living with Less After Loss Living with Less After Loss Chris Shank As a kid, my brother would always give me a hard time because I choked on food easily. I wouldn't be in danger or anything, but he thought it was hilarious. He'd glare at me from across the table, smile and ask, “You choking?” Years later, after his death, I looked around my messy, crammed apartment and imagined him asking me that question again. Yes, I was choking. Not on food this time, but on stuff. I was choking and feeling smothered and overwhelme
Independence Day: This One’s for You John Independence Day: "This One’s for You John" Teresa Cleaver My son's favorite holiday was Independence Day. He was on his fourth deployment to a war zone when he was killed in action on November 19, 2009. Had he lived, his 12-month deployment would have ended, and he would have been in Europe on his way home on July 4th – Independence Day. Photo by Stephanie Mccabe on Unsplash As his unit was stopped in Europe on their way home, John’s best friend on that deployment contacted me on July 3 an
Citi Salutes Atlanta Network Raise $8400 for TAPS in 1 Hour Citi Salutes Atlanta Network Raise $8400 for TAPS in 1 Hour TAPS Commitment to supporting veterans, those currently serving and military families runs deep for David Stockslager and Benjamin Feldman. Before they worked for Citi Retail Services in Atlanta, Georgia, they both served in the military and continue to feel a deep obligation to remain involved in the military support community. When asked to co-chair the Citi Salutes Atlanta Network annual fundraiser, David was excited to have
Honoring Soldier's Legacy Drives Team TAPS Runner Honoring Soldier's Legacy Drives Team TAPS Runner TAPS From the moment Cindy Grier heard about Team TAPS and the mission of TAPS, she knew she had to get involved. A couple of years ago, Cindy came across Team TAPS at the Disney Princess Half Marathon expo. “I just started crying,” Cindy said about learning about Team TAPS for the first time. "I was like ‘this is what I need to do." Cindy is no stranger to military life; her grandfathers were in World War II, her father fought in Vietnam and
The Shining Light in an endless tunnel The Shining Light in an endless tunnel Jonathan Jay Gee Sr. Over the last several months, which were full of frustration, anger, depression, and PTSD, I have seen the latest TAPS Magazine lying around the house or maybe a TAPS coffee mug. I've been thankful for my TAPS Peer Mentor whom I regularly talk with mostly through text message. Well, he keeps texting me with words to help in my daily struggle through my son’s birthday, holidays and other key dates. I am sure he has no understanding
Gary Morris Celebrity Golf Invitational Gary Morris Celebrity Golf Invitational Christine Burtt Raises support for TAPS for a Fourth Year There is something magical that happens when hundreds of people volunteer their time and money to help others. This year was no exception when the fourth annual Celebrity Invitational for TAPS gifted more than $300,000 for the Good Grief Camps and Adult Survival Seminars. Event Directors Bo and Lynne Cottrell and celebrity host Gary Morris presented two nights of music and comedy, and a
Saturday Morning Message: Honoring Our Loved Ones Saturday Morning Message: Honoring Our Loved Ones Carol Lane Good Morning, The picture this week is the card that Carmen, mother of Charles wrote about later in the message. I thought it was so special that it deserved to be the first thing people saw when they opened this week’s Saturday Morning Message. Survivors shared the many different ways they they honor their loved ones. I thought I would add mine as well. This Saturday Morning Message is one of the ways I honor my son. It started ou
The Holidays Are Here Again The Holidays Are Here Again Jill Harrington-LaMorie For survivors who have experienced the death of a loved one, the shadow of grief often darkens the weeks from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. The holidays can be a less than welcome time of year for those who have lost a loved one, sometimes one of dreaded anticipation and relieved conclusion. Because they have lost a loved one, grievers find themselves dreading the holidays. SUGGESTIONS FOR MANAGING THE SEASON Do only what feels ri
Saturday Morning Message: Honoring Our Loved Ones Saturday Morning Message: Honoring Our Loved Ones Carol Lane Good morning, This week survivors wrote a variety of ways they honor their loved ones. This picture seems to exemplify this. It shows a TAPS parachute with the Army veteran jumper holding the American flag. In this way TAPS honors those who have passed while serving our country. I am going to keep my comments short so you can get to all the wonderful responses that came in this week Remember, you can write to me anytime — to con
Run and Remember Team: Finding the FUN in Fundraising Run and Remember Team: Finding the FUN in Fundraising Betsy Beard Since October of 2000 when the first Run and Remember Team of two runners raised nearly five thousand dollars, fundraising has been a part of the team’s efforts on behalf of TAPS. Not only do TAPS runners spend time training for the event, but they also use their skills and ingenuity to raise awareness and raise funds in support of the TAPS mission. Some runners run only one time, while others come back year after year. They
Carrying Each Other Through the Load of Grief Carrying Each Other Through the Load of Grief Betty Medlock My parents, who were part of the Greatest Generation, taught me to respect and honor Memorial Day. But, while several members of my extended family served our country, none died while serving. So, for much of my life, Memorial Day remained mostly an abstract holiday. All that changed in January 2016, when I lost my son, Michael. After Michael’s death, Memorial Day shifted from abstract to too real. For our family, every day was Mem
5 Ways TAPS Supports Military and Veteran Survivors 5 Ways TAPS Supports Military and Veteran Survivors TAPS The 24 somber notes of taps sounded at the conclusion of a military funeral mark the end of a life lived in service to the United States. You don’t need to know the hero being laid to rest to be moved by the 24 notes, but those who knew this hero well — those in the midst of grief over the loss of not only a patriot, but a child, partner, parent, sibling, beloved family member, dear friend, or brother or sister in arms — often spend tho
Remembering J.R. Davis Remembering J.R. Davis Theresa Davis Barry Lee Davis, Jr., or J.R. as he was affectionately known to his family and friends, was just 18 years old when he chose to join the Army and serve his country. His service took him to far-off places, like the Persian Gulf and Karlsruhe, Germany, before eventually settling near Fort Stewart, Georgia. J.R. was a hardworking, dedicated, and kind man — traits that earned him Bronze Stars, medals of achievement, and even the title of S
Saluting Service and Sacrifice: Gillette, NFL Team Up for TAPS Saluting Service and Sacrifice: Gillette, NFL Team Up for TAPS Kristi Stolzenberg From the outside looking in, the death of a military service member is a moment — one unimaginably difficult day on a calendar page for a grieving family. This loss is eventually paved over by a new normal, and life goes on for the fallen hero’s family. But the view is much different at the center of the loss — it’s so much more than a single day; it weaves through the lives of those left behind. The absence o
Reconnecting With Our Military Family After Loss Reconnecting With Our Military Family After Loss Elizabeth Culp Sergent I remember the day Brian came home from work and asked if we could talk. He had tossed around the idea of enlisting in the Army a few times in the 7 years we had already been married, and I had always shrugged it off as a daydream and nothing to be concerned with. But that evening in September 2006 was different. He was different. He had already looked into his Military Occupational Speciality (MOS) options. He had schedu
Colorado Celebrity Classic to Benefit TAPS – Our Best One Yet 2017 Colorado Celebrity Classic to Benefit TAPS – Our Best One Yet! Christine Burtt Now in its 12th year, the Colorado Celebrity Classic combined the several events we’d held in previous years into one spectacular weekend of music and golf. It worked well. We netted just over $256,000 for TAPS, bringing the total of monies donated over the tenure of the CCC to almost $4 million! On Friday, June 16, more than 400 guests attended the Saluting our Fallen Heroes Dinner Concert. Held at the
Spotlight on Service: Emily Hoey Spotlight on Service: Emily Hoey TAPS Volunteers are an important part of the TAPS family. We are grateful for the time they donate in support of our mission. Volunteers, we salute you! Our TAPS family knows that we travel this road together – through the best times and the worst. As we move toward hope, talking and sharing with fellow travelers on grief’s winding path brings added value to our journeys. The ancient Greek philosopher Plato described what we know today as mentorship, a pe
Surviving the Holidays After Loss Surviving the Holidays After Loss Linda Ambard The Christmas holidays were always magical to me. I loved the hustle and bustle, the music, the festive home decorations, the planning and the secrets, what it means to me, and I loved the laughter in my chaotic family. We never had a lot, but somehow our tree was the tree that people stood and gaped at. It looked like we had a mountain of gifts piled high under the tree. Having five children will do that. From Halloween until January 1st, t
Spotlight on Service: SFC Pablo Ruiz III Spotlight on Service: SFC Pablo Ruiz III TAPS Army soldier of 11 years, husband of 19 years, father of a 19-year-old daughter in college, part-time student pursuing a degree in Management Human Resources…you’d think he’d have no time to volunteer. But that’s where you’d be wrong. Sergeant First Class Pablo Ruiz, III, is a dedicated TAPS volunteer. In the two years he has been volunteering for TAPS, his commitment has surpassed all expectations. As an active-duty member of the United States
Taking Back the Calendar Taking Back the Calendar Veronica Mora I have a love/hate relationship with the month of October for two major reasons. Topher, my wild man and only son of Art and I, was born October 11, 2005. Art, who was perfection in my eyes, was killed in Iraq defending our country in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on 10/19/2005. The two dates are just 8 days apart. To go from the highest of the highs with the birth of a child to the lowest of lows with the death of your best friend/husband is devast
Lasting Wish, Lasting Gift Lasting Wish, Lasting Gift Kristi Stolzenberg Right now, on a quiet suburban street in Vienna — just outside the Beltway around Washington, D.C. — there’s a child grinning widely, feeling the rhythmic whoosh of the wind through her hair as she pumps her legs back and forth on a swing. Running just past the tips of her outstretched toes, two young boys race each other back to the slide, exchanging playground taunts all the way. Children’s laughter reaches above the treetops and rides the breez
TAPS Families Visit Capitol Hill During Gold Star Families Remembrance Week TAPS Families Visit Capitol Hill During Gold Star Families Remembrance Week TAPS The last full week of September is a special one for the TAPS community. Since 2018, Congress has recognized this time as Gold Star Families Remembrance Week providing an opportunity for the nation to pause as they honor and remember the sacrifices made by all those who have lost a loved one who served in the military. “Our nation is forever indebted to the brave men and women who laid it all on the line for our
Saturday Morning Message: Making Plans for the Holidays Saturday Morning Message: Making Plans for the Holidays Carol Lane Good Morning, The opening picture is my lilac bush with its beautiful red leaves signaling the beginning of the fall season in the part of our country where I live. Survivors know that their loved ones’ birthdays and angelversaries can be difficult, so plans are often made to help cope. Some holidays can be equally emotionally painful. Today’s responses are a combination of those received this week and others from t
7 Ways to Help Grieving Children During the Holidays 7 Ways to Help Grieving Children During the Holidays Heather Stang Grief during the holidays serves up a perfect storm where joyous memories crash against reality and expectations, something that is especially tough when it’s a child who’s grieving. I know this firsthand. On October 18, 1977, my uncle Doug died by suicide. I was 7 years old. While I don’t remember the specifics of the Thanksgiving and Christmas that followed, what I do remember is that everyone tried to act normal when our s
Saturday Morning Message: Living A Life With Honor Saturday Morning Message: Living A Life With Honor Carol Lane Good morning, In the latest issue of TAPS Magazine, author Alan Wolfelt shares his thoughts about using the word reconciliation instead of closure when talking about our feelings around the death of a loved one. He wrote, “Reconciling our grief means integrating our new reality of a life without the physical presence of the person who died. Not just surviving, but really living, even thriving.” This seemed to fit with this week’s
Saturday Morning Message: Turning Grief Into Action Saturday Morning Message: Turning Grief Into Action Carol Lane Good Morning, One of the things I did to turn my grief into action after the loss of my son was to become a TAPS Peer Mentor. After experiencing the warmth and care of TAPS, I wanted to give something to other survivors and this was the way that was best for me. This picture shows a recent group of mentors. You can see the smiles on their faces. That is how I felt when I joined this group. After connecting with other survivor
Holiday Wish List for the Grieving Holiday Wish List for the Grieving Jeff Brookshire "Happy Hanukkah," they say. "Merry Christmas," they repeat. "Joyous Kwanza," they wish. But for some of us, happy and merry and joy are the remotest emotions of our heart. Especially during this season. Too many memories. Too many traditions. Too much pain. The empty chair at the dinner table. The one less present under the tree. The voice that filled the room with laughter now silent. While some sing that "It's the most wonderful time of the
Saturday Morning Message: Positive Lessons Learned Saturday Morning Message: Positive Lessons Learned Carol Lane Good Morning, The question last week was about sharing positive lessons learned on this grief journey. Lighthouses have special meaning for me. They light the way for those encountering difficulties while traveling. We do the same when we write about our experiences in the Saturday Morning Message. Sometimes we encounter these concepts in the form of surprises. This past Sunday was Mother's Day and one mother wrote about a wond
Saturday Morning Message: Honoring Our Loved Ones Saturday Morning Message: Honoring Our Loved Ones Carol Lane Good Morning, This is a time many come together with friends and family to share holiday recipes and memories. For many survivors, it can also be a time of sadness. Contemplating what you might do to pay tribute to your loved one might can ease those feelings. Honoring your loved one can be on a traditional holiday or one that is special just to your family and friends. This week survivors shared some of the things that are done t
A 9/11 Reflection: TAPS at the Pentagon Family Assistance Center A 9/11 Reflection: TAPS at the Pentagon Family Assistance Center Bonnie Carroll On September 11, 2001, the TAPS Families watched along with the rest of the world as the unthinkable tragedy unfolded. As military survivors, there was an immediate realization that the mission of the American Armed Forces would change profoundly after that day. Bonnie Carroll, TAPS President and Founder, was serving as an Air Force Reserve Officer assigned to the Pentagon, and on 9/11 was mobilized to active du
Purple Up! For Military Kids and TAPS Legacy Mentors Purple Up! For Military Kids and TAPS Legacy Mentors TAPS Purple Up! Day is a special observance during each April’s Month of the Military Child, where the public is asked to wear purple to show their support for the service and sacrifices made by our nation’s military children. At TAPS, we support all those children who are grieving a military loss and honor their sacrifices each and every day. Our Legacy Mentors, surviving children who have become mentors to other grieving military kids,
Saturday Morning Message: Personalized Memorials Express Your Special Relationship Saturday Morning Message: Personalized Memorials Express Your Special Relationship Carol Lane Good Morning, There are days during the year that commemorate the special connection we have with our loved ones. Last week Dianna, wife of Thomas, wanted to know what others do on those days. In addition to the responses from other survivors, I wanted to share what we do. My husband and I joined a gardening group in our town. This picture is the garden we tend which was started as a memorial to the
Saturday Morning Message: Introductions Saturday Morning Message: Introductions Carol Lane Good Morning, Since this week the Saturday Morning Message topic is about introductions, I thought I would open with a picture of my son, Bryon, doing what he loved to do. He was a crew chief on USMC helicopters. You can see by the smile on his face that he loved it. I am going to keep my comments short this week, because there were so many wonderful memories that were shared. Please enjoy this week’s message. Hugs, Carol Lane Mother of Bry
All In With TAPS at National Military Suicide Survivor Seminar All In With TAPS at National Military Suicide Survivor Seminar Misty Blum About a year ago I was on the phone with the head of Peer Mentor Training for TAPS. We were chatting about the upcoming national seminar taking place in Washington DC. He mentioned that it is a great experience but suggested for my first seminar I should attend the annual suicide seminar because it is so specific to my loss. Well, I know good advice when I hear it! (Thank you Don L!) I was on a plane and headed to Color
Living Legacies, Meaningful Healing Living Legacies, Meaningful Healing Noriko Stern Dianne Layfield Katie Davis Write it Down By: Kristi Stolzenberg, Editor, TAPS Magazine Karl Porfirio, surviving father of SrA Tre Porfirio, U.S. Air Force, was not a writer by trade when he sat down to write My Daddy’s Heart is Purple, but his dedication to honoring veterans and preserving his son’s memory earned him the title of children’s book author in 2018. While stationed in Afghanistan, Tre was shot in the abdomen, severely injuring
Breaking Away from Loneliness Breaking Away from Loneliness Emily Munoz Grief is inherently about interrupted connection. We are separated from someone we love. Loneliness, then, is logical. I just didn’t expect it to show up, years after the searing had turned to scarring. When it did, it was because, in my early grief, I leaned so much into the hope that the universe still held joy and purpose for me, that eventually this would all make sense. But loneliness showed up, clutching and persistent, exacerbated by wideni