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TAPS is the 24/7 tragedy assistance resource for ANYONE who has suffered the loss of a military loved one, regardless of the relationship to the deceased or the circumstance of the death. In this photo, a lone U.S. Army bugler plays taps at the conclusion of the First Annual Remembrance Ceremony in Dedication to Fallen Military Medical Personnel at Arlington National Cemetery.

TAPS Program Supports Families of Fallen
[8/24/2010]

I often hear stories of military Families helping each other, whether it’s through deployments or moves or just a tough day of parenting. Their support can range from the emotional, with an offer of a shoulder to cry on, to the more practical, such as help with a broken-down car or washing machine. These stories are touching and thankfully very common within military culture.

Towards the end of 2010 TAPS Fort Hood Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp, the surviving children of the fallen had a chance to release a balloon with a private message. Here, Soldier/Mentor David Riecke helps Wayne secure his message.

Good Grief Camp Comforts Families of Fallen Soldiers
[8/6/2010]

The 2010 TAPS Fort Hood Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp brought together nearly 300 Family members from as far away as South Korea, Alaska, and Nebraska who joined other survivors in weekend-long program of comfort and support.

Children release balloons bearing messages for their fallen military loved ones during the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors' Good Grief Camp in Crystal City, Va., May 30, 2010.

Children of Fallen Servicemembers Find Comfort at TAPS Camp
[6/27/2010]

The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors' Good Grief Camp was held in Crystal City, Va., over Memorial Day weekend. About 375 children attended the camp, held in conjunction with the 16th annual TAPS National Military Survivor Seminar.

Gold Star Wives came from all over the country to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the organization at the U.S. Capitol May 27. The spouses wore gold-colored clothing, decorated with Gold Star Wives hats and logos – representing the sacrifice made by their Family. Others wore necklaces and pins bearing photographs of their fallen warriors.

Gold Stars, Golden Hearts
[6/27/2010]

We couldn’t help but feel the emptiness as we looked around the room at spouses dressed in golden shades of yellow, embracing each other like family. There was a huge void in the capitol rotunda as the Gold Star Wives of America gathered together to celebrate the 65th anniversary of their organization May 27. The emptiness was the space next to each of them where a spouse should have stood.

Deborah Mullen (left) is presented the Gold Star Wives of America Appreciation Award by Ruth Miller, board chair, and Kit Frazer, president, Gold Star Wives, at the organization’s annual Congressional Reception at the U.S. Captiol Visitors Center May 27. Mullen and her husband, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were both honored in recognition of their devotion to families of the fallen and wounded warriors.

Gold Star Wives Celebrate 65 Years of Service
[6/27/2010]

Back during World War II, a small group of women met in a living room to lend support to those whose husbands were killed in the line of duty. Now 65 years later, that small group has become the Gold Star Wives of America, standing 10,000-strong with 60 chapters across America.

The Army has not forgotten the surviving Families of fallen warriors. Survivor Outreach Services, a relatively new Army program, is designed to provide a proactive approach in meeting the needs of survivors, while also helping others prepare in advance for the unexpected.

SOS Keeps Survivors Connected to the Army Family
[6/27/2010]

The Army has not forgotten the surviving Families of fallen warriors. Survivor Outreach Services, a relatively new Army program, is designed to provide a proactive approach in meeting the needs of survivors, while also helping others prepare in advance for the unexpected.

Nicki Bunting was named the Military Spouse Magazine’s Army Spouse of the Year for her work in organizing a memorial run in honor of her late husband, Capt. Brian

Gold Star Wife named Army Spouse of Year
[6/27/2010]

Nicki Bunting was named the Military Spouse Magazine’s Army spouse of the Year for her work in organizing a memorial run in honor of her late husband, Capt. Brian "Bubba" Bunting, who was killed in Afghanistan.

Military life requires many sacrifices from Soldiers and their families. But what happens when a Soldier pays the ultimate sacrifice, when he does not return to loved ones awaiting impatiently, counting the days until his arrival? What happens to them, when someone knocks on their door with a message we all fear too much, to even think about it? What help is available then?

Army Reaches Out to Survivors
[6/27/2010]

Military life requires many sacrifices from Soldiers and their Families. But what happens when a Soldier pays the ultimate sacrifice, when he does not return to loved ones awaiting impatiently, counting the days until his arrival? What happens to them, when someone knocks on their door with a message we all fear too much, to even think about it? What help is available then?

The South Dakota Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors Team conducts a transfer of the remains of Sgt. 1st Class Arthur F. Jewett to a waiting hearse at the Army Aviation Support Facility at Rapid City Regional Airport Sept. 22, 2009. Jewett, a Korean War veteran, was classified as missing-in-action in 1950. The Army declared him dead two years later. His remains, recovered in Korea in 2002, were unable to be identified until earlier this year.

Proud to Be an American Soldier
[3/23/2010]

This is not your typical Africa Command Blog. In fact it has nothing to do with Africa, but it is very important for me to share with you our readers a little insight into the United States military. Although it is written by an Army Major General, it could easily be from an Air Force, Marine or Navy or Coast Guard Admiral.

A vehicle containing fallen servicemembers’ remains leaves the flightline followed by an Army carry team after a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base, Del., Feb. 22, 2010. The dignified transfer is a solemn movement of remains from the aircraft to a vehicle to the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center.

Dignified Transfer Pays Tribute to Fallen Heroes
[6/27/2010]

The dignified transfer is a solemn movement of the fallen servicemember from the aircraft to a vehicle to the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center. A transfer event is conducted for every servicemember who dies while supporting a combat operation, and also is enacted for civilians involved in a mass fatality or for those attached to other federal agencies supporting the war effort.

Air Force Senior Airman Matthew Klundt, from Fresno, Calif., of the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squad, carries an American flag as he crosses the finish line to claim first place in the Fallen Soldier Half-Marathon run Feb. 28, in Taji, Iraq.

Half-Marathon Honors Fallen Warriors
[6/27/2010]

Despite the constant rain, servicemembers from all military branches came together for the Fallen Soldier Half-Marathon Feb. 28 in Camp Taji, Iraq, to pay tribute to those who died in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Eric Herzberg, father of Lance Cpl. Eric W. Herzberg, and Beth Bell, mother of Lance Cpl. Nicholas Kirven, study a collage of portraits done by Michael G. Reagan on exhibit at Arlington National Cemetery's Visitor Center. The project, more than 2,000 portraits, has been a tribute undertaken by the artist for heroes like Herzberg and Kirven, both interred in Arlington's Section 60.

Fallen Heroes Project on Display at Arlington Cemetery
[6/27/2010]

The Fallen Heroes Project by portrait artist Michael G. Reagan is now on display at the Arlington National Cemetery Visitors Center.

Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., is a Veterans Service Organization for widows and widowers whose spouses died on active duty or as the result of a service-connected cause.

Gold Star Wives Heal by Helping Others
[6/27/2010]

Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., is a Veterans Service Organization for widows and widowers whose spouses died on active duty or as the result of a service-connected cause.

Brig. Gen. Reuben Jones, commanding general of the Family and MWR Command, salutes the wreath placed at Section 60, where most of the fallen from Iraq and Afghanistan are laid to rest. Saluting with him are survivors Ed Brown and Janae Sturgis.

Army Leadership Listens to Survivors at SOS Summit
[6/27/2010]

The theme for this year's SOS summit represented both the process of grief and an assessment of how well the one-year-old organization is addressing the needs of survivors: "Embracing Our Survivors Along the Journey...Are We Making a Difference?" Attendees included parents, spouses, adult children and uniformed survivors of active Army, National Guard and Reserve warriors.

A collection of memorabilia from survivors who have lost loved ones in the line of duty lines the wall at the Army's 2009 Survivor Summit in Crystal City, Va., Oct. 7, 2009. The summit is part of the Army’s Survivor Outreach Services, which is an effort to improve the Army's institutional and personal interaction with survivors of fallen Soldiers.

How the Army is Continuing Efforts to Enhance Survivor Support
[6/27/2010]

Army Survivor Outreach Services, also known as S.O.S, was formed in April 2008. Outreach coordinators soon will be working at every Army post, giving survivors another source for support in their communities.

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, meets with children of fallen servicemembers at the fourth-annual “A Time of Remembrance” ceremony held on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol, Sept. 26, 2009.

National Leaders Pay Tribute to Families of Fallen Servicemembers
[6/27/2010]

The annual “A Time of Remembrance” ceremony honors military members who died during the nation’s wars, as well as their Families and veterans. It is sponsored by the White House Commission on Remembrance, established by Congress in 2000.

Each year on the last Sunday in September, the nation observes Gold Star Mother’s Day and its culture of support that has helped mothers and families grieve for more than 80 years. Congress designated the observance in 1936, and the president issues a proclamation each year. This year, President Barack Obama has proclaimed Sept. 27 Gold Star Mother’s Day.

Honor our Fallen on Gold Star Mother's Day, September 27
[6/27/2010]

Each year on the last Sunday in September, the nation observes Gold Star Mother’s Day and its culture of support that has helped mothers and Families grieve for more than 80 years. Congress designated the observance in 1936, and the president issues a proclamation each year. This year, President Barack Obama has proclaimed Sept. 27 Gold Star Mother’s Day.

Since military Families began sacrificing their loved ones after the 9/11 attacks, the Defense Department and a host of other organizations have worked tirelessly to establish a culture of support for the surviving Families, and they’ve come a long way.

Widow Notes Strides in Survivor Support
[6/27/2010]

Since military Families began sacrificing their loved ones after the 9/11 attacks, the Defense Department and a host of other organizations have worked tirelessly to establish a culture of support for survivors, and they’ve come a long way.

FORT KNOX, Ky. (Aug. 3, 2009) — In opening senior leadership training July 24, Maj. Gen. Mark Graham, the commander of Division West, 1st Army at Fort Carson, Colo., spoke to the audience at Fort Knox, Ky., about suicide prevention.

Two-star General Becomes Advocate to Help Soldiers, Families
[6/27/2010]

FORT KNOX, Ky. (Aug. 3, 2009) — In opening senior leadership training July 24, Maj. Gen. Mark Graham, the commander of Division West, 1st Army at Fort Carson, Colo., quoted Oswald Chambers, a 19th century Scottish theologian. "We say there ought to be no sorrow but there is sorrow, and to survive we have to find ourselves in it. If we try to evade sorrow, refuse to lay our account with it, we are foolish. Sorrow is one of the biggest facts of life."

Sgt. 1st Class Jared Monti was killed in Afghanistan June 21, 2006 and a White House ceremony is

First Soldier to receive Medal of Honor for valor in Afghanistan
[6/27/2010]

WASHINGTON (July 24, 2009) — Sgt. 1st Class Jared Monti, who was killed in Afghanistan June 21, 2006, will receive the Medal of Honor for his valor in combat, the White House has announced.

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (July 20, 2009) — Troops bow their heads during a chaplain’s prayer during transfer of a fallen comrade at a ramp ceremony on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.

Face of Defense: Mortuary NCO Ensures Dignified Transfer of Fallen
[6/27/2010]

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (July 20, 2009) — Many people have trouble viewing the deceased or coping with the emotions of witnessing the transfer of a fallen comrade. For Army Staff Sgt. John A. Rosado, it is an honor to ensure fallen heroes are returned home in a timely and dignified manner.

WASHINGTON (July 16, 2009) —Sesame Rooms provide a child-friendly place for military children to play. Sesame Street will send a “room-in-a-box” to 35 locations across the United States, including military hospitals, libraries, child care centers, and family support centers.

Sesame Workshop aims to help military children, keep Families connected
[7/16/2009]

WASHINGTON (July 16, 2009) — “Sesame Street” usually conjures visions of Muppets teaching young children their letters and numbers, but they also teach life lessons to help military children cope with deployments, injuries, and now, loss.

WASHINGTON (June 3, 2009) – The city commission of Enid, Okla., has appointed Teresa Vance as the city’s official ambassador to military Families. Vance was born into an Army Family and married a career naval officer.

City in Oklahoma appoints ambassador to military Families
[6/27/2010]

WASHINGTON (June 3, 2009) – Having been part of their tightly knit community all her life, Teresa Vance always has had an interest in military families. Her father made a career out of the Army, serving in World War II and Korea. Her husband was a career surface warfare officer in the Navy, and her son spent four years in the Marine Corps.

FORT MYER, Va. (May 15, 2009) — Flags stand vigil at grave sites in Arlington National Cemetery. Each year, Soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) place a small American flag into the ground in front of every grave marker at Arlington National Cemetery in anticipation of the Memorial Day observance.

Commentary: Memorial Day from chaplain's foxhole
[5/24/2009]

FORT MYER, Va. (May 24, 2009) — One evening, a casualty officer and I drove down the road on our way to inform a Soldier's spouse that her husband had died in Iraq.

Nellie Bagley, mother of wounded New Hampshire National Guard Staff Sgt Jose Pequeno, embraces Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at National Memorial Day Concert. Washington, D.C., May 24, 2009. Pequeno was severly wounded during a grenade attack in Ramadi, Iraq in 2006.

Mullen salutes servicemembers, vets at Memorial Day concert
[5/25/2009]

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2009 — The U.S. military’s top officer saluted servicemembers, wounded warriors and veterans at the 20th annual National Memorial Day Concert held in Washington, DC on May 24.

WASHINGTON (May 25, 2009) — President Barack Obama lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during Memorial Day commemorations at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., May 25, 2009.

Obama honors servicemembers' ultimate sacrifices
[5/26/2009]

WASHINGTON (May 25, 2009) — President Barack Obama today hailed U.S. military members' unselfish service and willingness to lay down their lives on behalf of their fellow citizens during the annual Memorial Day observance at Arlington National Cemetery.

Obama: Spirit of Memorial Day must extend beyond actual observance
[5/26/2009]

WASHINGTON (May 26, 2009) — America’s troops and their families embody what’s best in the country, and the American people have a responsibility to serve them as well as the troops serve the country, President Barack Obama said during his radio address to the nation.

FORT MYER, Va. (May 20, 2009) — Secretary of the Army Pete Geren, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Gen. George W. Casey Jr., Army chief of staff, watch a slideshow of images from the book,

Military officials present book to military children
[6/27/2010]

FORT MYER, Va. (May 20, 2009) — The Arlington National Cemetery Visitor's Center turned into a reception hall May 15, as top military leaders gathered to pay tribute to the children of fallen servicemembers.

WASHINGTON (May 22, 2009) — Each marker in section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, which holds veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, has a flag placed in front of it during the

Joint services place 'Flags In' at Arlington National Cemetery
[6/27/2010]

WASHINGTON (May 22, 2009) — Every Memorial Day since 1948, Soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) have made their way through Fort Myer's Selfridge Gate, rucksacks filled with American flags.

ARLINGTON, Va. (May 17, 2009) — Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his wife Deborah, center, present commemorative books

New book aims to help children of troops buried in Arlington
[6/27/2010]

ARLINGTON, Va. (May 17, 2009) — Generals, congressmen and, in many cases, presidents of the United States have attended military funerals at Arlington National Cemetery here and given their condolences to children who have lost loved ones to war.

HUGSS replaced by Survivor Outreach
[6/27/2010]

FORT HOOD, Texas (April 15, 2009) - The Gold Star Family Center's organization, Helping Unite Gold Star Survivors (HUGSS), was recently replaced by Survivor Outreach Services (SOS).

CEREM0NY ON THE RHINE - NATO heads of state and government pay tribute to NATO military personnel for service in operational theatres of the alliance during an April 4, 2009, ceremony on the banks of the Rhine River between Strasbourg, France, and Keln, Germany.

Heads of State honor NATO military personnel
[4/4/2009]

WASHINGTON (April 4, 2009) – President Barack Obama and heads of state representing the other 28 NATO member countries honored NATO military personnel who died in service of the alliance’s mission.

Chairman lauds group for work with families of fallen warriors
[6/27/2010]

WASHINGTON (April 1, 2009) – Those in uniform must always remember their fallen comrades and their families, and those families deserve help in enduring their heartache, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Actor Tom Selleck, Ernie Quintana, acting deputy director for the National Park Service, and Lisa Quiroz, senior vice president of corporate responsibility for Time Warner, react to one of the speakers at a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund ceremony on the National Mall, March 26, 2009.

Vietnam vet unveils new project to honor the Fallen
[6/27/2010]

Actor Tom Selleck, Ernie Quintana, acting deputy director for the National Park Service, and Lisa Quiroz, senior vice president of corporate responsibility for Time Warner, react to one of the speakers at a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund ceremony on the National Mall, March 26, 2009. DoD photo by Linda D. Kozaryn

Wearing his Marine cap from his Vietnam days, Richard Lyons talks to Marines at an unveiling ceremony for a traveling exhibit that replicates what a future underground education center will display when it's built on the National Mall. Lyons will drive the tractor trailer carrying a half-sized Vietnam Memorial and the newly designed exhibit throughout the country.

Truckers honor fallen brothers in arms
[6/27/2010]

WASHINGTON (March 26, 2009) – Richard Lyons and his wife Debbie Frederick have a new job they're proud to perform -- bringing honor and respect to the troops who never returned from the Vietnam War.

Children gather on the roof of the Hilton Hawaiian Village to release red, white and blue balloons with personal letters attached for their fathers lost during the war in Iraq. The balloons flew across the Waikiki sky, Jan. 24, during the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) program.

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors helps families
[2/4/2009]

HONOLULU (Jan. 29, 2009) - Ishmael Stagner reminisced about his childhood during the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) seminar at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu, Jan. 24.