TAPS GALA 2017

TRAGEDY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS 2017 HONOR GUARD GALA

Wednesday, April 12, 2017 6:00 p.m Reception | 7:00 p.m. Dinner and Program National Building Museum 440 G Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.

The evening will be attended by Friends of TAPS who share a demonstrated commitment to honoring our nation’s fallen heroes. Guests will include senior military officials, corporate and association executives, military survivor families, political leaders and Administration officials.When a member of the America’s armed forces dies, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is on the front lines providing compassionate care to the families left behind. This is a true act of human kindness to support the military services of all branches of the armed forces such as Army, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Navy. The Honor Guard Gala has become one of the most inspirational and significant events of the spring season. This year, the Gala united over 850 guests from across the nation; including survivor families, Administration officials, Members of Congress, senior military leaders, corporate executives and TAPS volunteers, to celebrate the unique American spirit of patriotism. TAPS receive no government funding. It is only through the generous support of individuals and organizations like yours that TAPS are able to provide its services to surviving families free of charge. We are proud that TAPS have received a Four-Star Rating with Charity Navigator for three consecutive years. Over the past year, TAPS have hosted thousands of surviving adults and children at seminars, camps and retreats, connecting individuals who share the experience of loss and providing an ongoing network of support. Since October 1994, the TAPS Survivor Helpline has been answered 24/7, extending assistance and support to family members as well as casualty officers, military commanders and caregivers.

TAPS 2017 National Community Partnership Award Presented to the National Basketball Association and USA Basketball Accepting on behalf of the players, coaches, staff and fans will be USA Basketball Chairman General Martin Dempsey, USA (Ret), USA Basketball Managing Director Jerry Colangelo, and USA National Team Coaches, Coach Mike Krzyzewski and Coach Geno Auriemma. Amongst other professional and retired basketball players attended this fabulous function, this very kind of them to display their personal and celebrity support. My son and I enjoyed taking memorable pictures with seven foot seven inches basketball players.

TAPS is an organization offering compassion, comfort and care to the thousands of family members coping with the death of a loved one serving in the military, or in support of, the military mission. TAPS provided surviving families cope and heal in the aftermath of their loss through a variety of programs, including a national peer support network, the annual National Survivor Seminar, Good Grief Camps, grief and trauma resources, and a toll-free 24-hour helpline. All services are free of charge to the families and provided through the generosity of private corporations, foundations and individuals.

This was a wonderful Gala which Mary and her son Alexander James Swanson enjoyed together amongst parentless children. People should contribute to this notable charitable event for those who lost a loved one. We will truly, cherish this heart aching moment as we viewed these beautiful children on the stage before us as they grasp their demised parent’s photograph…there wasn’t a dry tear in the audience. I respectfully, “THANK MILITARY INDIVIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILITIES FOR THEIR SERVICE!"