Vet News: TAPS to Celebrate 21 Years of Compassionate Care for Surviving Families of Military Loss at Honor Guard Gala
Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, March 18, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) will pay tribute to those who provide compassionate care to surviving family members of America’s fallen military heroes at its annual Honor Guard Gala at 6 p.m. at the National Building Museum.
The TAPS Military Award will be presented to Admiral Jonathan Greenert, Chief of Naval Operations, and Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen of New Jersey will receive the TAPS Congressional Award.
“We are recognizing Admiral Greenert and Congressman Frelinghuysen for their passion and dedication in honoring our nation’s service members and their sacrifice by ensuring care for the families left behind,” said Bonnie Carroll, Founder and President of TAPS. “Their unwavering care and support is evident in their official capacities as well as in their personal lives.”
The gala will showcase the unique role TAPS has played in connecting America’s Family, the loved ones of fallen service members, to resources and support since its founding in 1994. Following the death of her husband, Army Brigadier General Tom Carroll, Bonnie Carroll founded TAPS for all those grieving the loss of a loved one who died while serving our country.
Actor Eric Dane, of TNT’s “The Last Ship,” will help honor TAPS by bringing his star power to the gala as well as attending a full day of events to show his support for the mission.
CNN’s Kyra Phillips and John Roberts of Fox News will host this year’s program. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey will provide the keynote address for the annual event.
The 20th anniversary celebration in March 2014 raised $2.1 million to fund Good Grief Camps for children of the fallen, healing programs for surviving adults, the 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline, casework assistance, education support services for surviving children, and connections to community-based care where survivors bond to find hope and healing.
2015 Title Sponsor: United Technologies Corporation
2015 Programs Sponsor: JP Morgan Chase & Co.
2015 Presenting Sponsors: BAE Systems, Inc., DynCorp International, Oshkosh Defense, Prudential Financial, Inc., SAIC, Telos Corporation, UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans
2015 Patriot Sponsor: Lockheed Martin, TriWest Healthcare Alliance
2015 Media Sponsor: The Hill
2015 Eagle Sponsors: Banfi, DuPont, Express Scripts, HDT Global, Highmark/United Concordia Dental, L-3, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Raytheon, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Textron, UPS, USAA.
2015 Liberty Sponsors: The Boeing Company, Booz Allen Hamilton, CACI, DRS Technologies, Giant Food, HealthNet, Inc., Honeywell, KPMG LLP, National Association of Beverage Importers, National Beef Packing Company, NJVC LLC, Scann2 LLC, Sterling Global Operations Inc., Travis Manion Foundation, USO, Van Scoyoc Associates
MEDIA RSVP REQUIRED
Media are invited to attend the event by requesting credentials from [email protected]. Attendees will be available for interview.
About TAPS
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the national organization providing compassionate care for the families of America’s fallen military heroes and has offered support to more than 50,000 surviving family members of our fallen military and their caregivers since 1994. TAPS provides 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).
