TAPS Issues Statement on Recent Military Deaths
Author: TAPS
Last week, our country was sadly reminded of the dangers our service members face even when they are not deployed in a war zone. Eleven military members died in non-combat incidents within three days. One of the fallen airmen, U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Afton M. Ponce, volunteered as a mentor with the TAPS Good Grief Camp program for several years. We are deeply saddened by the deaths and express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of each of these service members. TAPS stands ready to assist the families of our fallen troops and welcomes anyone grieving the death of a service member, regardless of where they died or how they died.
TAPS is proud to announce we are partnering with the Business and Professional Women's (BPW) Foundation to provide career mentoring and resources to military widows, surviving sisters, surviving mothers and other women who have lost a loved one serving in the Armed Forces. "Families of our fallen troops often change career courses completely following the death of their loved one. They have to build a new life after the deaths of their loved ones and many have to find a new direction in life. Having such a caring and supportive mentoring program available will be an invaluable resource for the families left behind by our fallen troops." said Bonnie Carroll, military widow and TAPS founder. If you are a surviving spouse, mother, daughter, sister, or other woman who has lost a loved one serving in our Armed Forces, you can get involved by visiting www.JoiningForcesMentoringPlus.org or contacting Helpdesk@bpwfoundation.org.
TAPS has many exciting events planned for 2014! The first event for the TAPS Run and Remember Team will be January 16th. Many runners will be participating in the Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. We wish all our runners the best of luck!
Registration for the 20th Annual National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors is open. Scholarships for flights and financial assistance will be available soon. We hope you will join us for this special weekend of hope, comfort and healing.
For a complete list of all our upcoming events, please see our calendar.
TAPS sends our thoughts to you and shares we are only a phone call away. Call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-959-TAPS (8277) if you would like to talk or have any questions about our programs or events. Be sure to follow us on Twitter: @TAPSorg. You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram.