Taps Program

Their loved ones paid the ultimate price... while serving our country. A reality that can be har...  More »

Their loved ones paid the ultimate price... while serving our country. A reality that can be harder to face for many military families, during the holidays. Amber Schatz speaks with two moms who find comfort through a TAPS program... and each other. (Sheila Richter) andamp;quot;It doesn't get easier, you just learn to realize the support you have, people that care, learn to cope and get by.andamp;quot; She's just one of more than 20 North Dakota families who are coping with a fallen soldier in their life. Sheila Richter and Adeline Reis are two Bismarck moms... who unfortunately share that bond... along with countless others across the nation. (Richter) andamp;quot;It's a trip that noone wants to be on but now we're together for that purpose and I'm very blessed that I have everybody.andamp;quot; andamp;quot;Everybodyandamp;quot; includes a support network of military families who are going through the same thing. TAPS... or Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors... is a program which allows families to tell their fallen heroes stories with each other. (Jane Johnson/Social Worker) andamp;quot;First weekend I went, I thought oh my gosh I'm going to spend all Memorial Day crying.andamp;quot; Jane Johnson has accompanied North Dakota families to the national TAPS program in D.C. the past four years... (Johnson) andamp;quot;They don't have to explain every little detail about how they feel, people already know. (Adeline Reis) andamp;quot;Some of the workshops we're laughing, we're crying and we hug and support each other.andamp;quot; And while it's still hard... ( Rob Keller/State Family program director) andamp;quot;Both in this case, sons were killed in action and seeing them now, there's the pain that is there, but what they are doing is showing what they went through.andamp;quot; ... the bond that forms for the survivors, is humbling and healing. (Adeline Reis) andamp;quot;It's so nice to be able to share and just give a hug because they all understand what we're going through.andamp;quot; (Sheila Richter) andamp;quot;My 11 year old boy he had the best time ever, spent it with a mentor, he keeps going, can we go again, can we go again can we go again?andamp;quot; Amber Schatz KX News. Active duty soldiers, and military families who've lost someone to suicide have also participated in the TAPS program. For more information on TAPS... or to see how you can donate to the program... call the North Dakota National Guard Foundation at 333-2012... the State Family Program director at 333-2058... or 1-800-242-4940  « Less