Posted on May 6, 2020
Veterans Experience Live (VetXL): Survivors Together - Memorial Day Q&A with Community Partners answering questions about benefits
533K
844
461
The Department of Veterans Affairs and our community partners TAPS, American Gold Star Mothers, AAFMAA, Wounded Warrior Project, Travis Manion Foundation, American Red Cross, and Gold Star Wives of America will be here on May 20th at 3PM EST to answer questions.
You can ask questions to the following people:
RDML Ann Duff- Director of the Office of Survivors Assistance
SSgt Danny Devine - Executive Director of Engagement and Memorial Innovations, NCA
Maj Bonnie Carroll - President and Founder, TAPS
Mona Gunn - National President, American Gold Star Mothers
BG Michael Meese - President, AAFMAA
LTG Michael Linnington - CEO, Wounded Warrior Project
Amy Looney - Vice President, Travis Manion Foundation
Melissa Comeau - Director, American Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Network
Nancy Menagh - President of Gold Star Wives of America
VA Office of Survivor Assistance-
The Office of Survivors Assistance serves as an expert resource regarding all benefits and services furnished by the VA to Survivors and Dependents of deceased Veterans and members of the Armed Forces. We can help you navigate the myriad of benefits and services available, and direct you to your best options. Additionally, we work closely with veteran service organizations, other departments, state and local veteran groups and community leaders to educate everyone about available services and benefits.
National Cemetery Administration-
NCA will commemorate Memorial Day this year with solemn wreath-laying ceremonies. All VA national cemeteries will be open Memorial Day weekend from dawn to dusk for public visitation.
Starting May 14, Veterans Legacy Memorial will permit online visitors to leave a “tribute” text at http://www.va.gov/remember
Effective, Wednesday, April 15, 2020, to ensure social distancing at the cemetery, witnessing family members have been asked to view the interment from their cars or the road very near their cars. Families may visit the gravesite in the days following the interment consistent with CDC guidelines and local travel restrictions. Click here to learn more about burial benefits and the Veterans Legacy Memorial: https://www.cem.va.gov/
TAPS-
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) provides compassionate care and survivor support services for the families of America’s fallen military heroes. Since 1994, TAPS has offered support to more than 95,000 survivors of fallen military in the form of peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, grief seminars and retreats for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, casework 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 profoundly affected by a death of a military loved one. For more information go to taps.org or call the TAPS National Military Survivor Helpline at 800.959.TAPS (8277).
American Gold Star Mothers-
American Gold Star Mothers, Inc was founded and incorporated in Washington, D.C. 92 years ago. We are a nonprofit membership organization of mothers whose children died while on active duty, died as a result of their service, or are missing in action. We have members in chapters around the country who keep alive the memory of their sons and daughters by helping veterans, active-duty military, and their families. As a service organization, we continue the service of our sons and daughters, who would have been veterans, by volunteering at VA Medical Centers in our local communities.
AAFMAA-
Established in 1879, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association (AAFMAA) is the longest-standing, not-for-profit financial solutions provider supporting military and veteran families. At the heart of AAFMAA is a unique and unsurpassed level of care for our Members’ survivors. When a Member dies, an AAFMAA Survivor Assistance Services counselor assists the surviving spouse and family to get all of the benefits earned through military service and continues to assist them for the rest of their lives. Just since 9/11, AAFMAA has provided over $900 million to military families—not as a charity, but as a mutual Association—with Members helping other Members at the passing of a loved one.
Wounded Warrior Project-
Wounded Warrior Project is transforming the way America’s injured veterans are empowered, employed, and engaged in our communities. Since 2003, we’ve been tireless advocates for our nation’s finest, improving the lives of millions of warriors and their families. Warriors never pay a penny for our programs – because they paid their dues on the battlefield. Our free services in mental health, career counseling, and long-term rehabilitative care change lives. We’re committed to helping injured veterans achieve their highest ambitions. When they’re ready to start their next mission, we stand ready to serve.
Travis Manion Foundation-
Travis Manion Foundation strives to unite and strengthen communities by training, developing, and highlighting the role models that lead them. We develop programs, training opportunities, and events designed to empower veterans and families of the fallen, and then inspire them to pass on their values to the next generation and the community at large.
American Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Network-
The Military and Veteran Caregiver Network (MVCN) offers peer-based support and services to connect those providing care to service members and veterans living with wounds, illnesses, injuries and/or aging. The mission of the MVCN is to provide our nation’s military and veteran caregivers of all eras with peer support to reduce isolation and increase connection, engagement, knowledge, skills and hope.
The MVCN helps caregivers of all eras and at all stages of caregiving by providing access to three peer support programs:
· Online Peer Support Community
· Peer Mentor Support Program
· Peer Support Groups (Online & Community-Based)
New Integrated Condolence Care Program - https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/press-release/2020/red-cross-offers-virtual-care-for-families-who-have-lost-loved-o.html
Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. is a Congressionally Chartered non-profit service organization made up of Gold Star spouses of both men and women.
Formed in 1945, our membership spans all eras from WWII to current. Our spouses died while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces or from their service connected disability as a result of that service, including PTSD/suicide. Our mission is to preserve and enhance benefits for surviving US Military spouses and children;
to help or members and their children face the future with courage and determination; and to honor the memory of our military spouses who made the ultimate sacrifice.
You can ask questions to the following people:
RDML Ann Duff- Director of the Office of Survivors Assistance
SSgt Danny Devine - Executive Director of Engagement and Memorial Innovations, NCA
Maj Bonnie Carroll - President and Founder, TAPS
Mona Gunn - National President, American Gold Star Mothers
BG Michael Meese - President, AAFMAA
LTG Michael Linnington - CEO, Wounded Warrior Project
Amy Looney - Vice President, Travis Manion Foundation
Melissa Comeau - Director, American Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Network
Nancy Menagh - President of Gold Star Wives of America
VA Office of Survivor Assistance-
The Office of Survivors Assistance serves as an expert resource regarding all benefits and services furnished by the VA to Survivors and Dependents of deceased Veterans and members of the Armed Forces. We can help you navigate the myriad of benefits and services available, and direct you to your best options. Additionally, we work closely with veteran service organizations, other departments, state and local veteran groups and community leaders to educate everyone about available services and benefits.
National Cemetery Administration-
NCA will commemorate Memorial Day this year with solemn wreath-laying ceremonies. All VA national cemeteries will be open Memorial Day weekend from dawn to dusk for public visitation.
Starting May 14, Veterans Legacy Memorial will permit online visitors to leave a “tribute” text at http://www.va.gov/remember
Effective, Wednesday, April 15, 2020, to ensure social distancing at the cemetery, witnessing family members have been asked to view the interment from their cars or the road very near their cars. Families may visit the gravesite in the days following the interment consistent with CDC guidelines and local travel restrictions. Click here to learn more about burial benefits and the Veterans Legacy Memorial: https://www.cem.va.gov/
TAPS-
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) provides compassionate care and survivor support services for the families of America’s fallen military heroes. Since 1994, TAPS has offered support to more than 95,000 survivors of fallen military in the form of peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, grief seminars and retreats for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, casework 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 profoundly affected by a death of a military loved one. For more information go to taps.org or call the TAPS National Military Survivor Helpline at 800.959.TAPS (8277).
American Gold Star Mothers-
American Gold Star Mothers, Inc was founded and incorporated in Washington, D.C. 92 years ago. We are a nonprofit membership organization of mothers whose children died while on active duty, died as a result of their service, or are missing in action. We have members in chapters around the country who keep alive the memory of their sons and daughters by helping veterans, active-duty military, and their families. As a service organization, we continue the service of our sons and daughters, who would have been veterans, by volunteering at VA Medical Centers in our local communities.
AAFMAA-
Established in 1879, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association (AAFMAA) is the longest-standing, not-for-profit financial solutions provider supporting military and veteran families. At the heart of AAFMAA is a unique and unsurpassed level of care for our Members’ survivors. When a Member dies, an AAFMAA Survivor Assistance Services counselor assists the surviving spouse and family to get all of the benefits earned through military service and continues to assist them for the rest of their lives. Just since 9/11, AAFMAA has provided over $900 million to military families—not as a charity, but as a mutual Association—with Members helping other Members at the passing of a loved one.
Wounded Warrior Project-
Wounded Warrior Project is transforming the way America’s injured veterans are empowered, employed, and engaged in our communities. Since 2003, we’ve been tireless advocates for our nation’s finest, improving the lives of millions of warriors and their families. Warriors never pay a penny for our programs – because they paid their dues on the battlefield. Our free services in mental health, career counseling, and long-term rehabilitative care change lives. We’re committed to helping injured veterans achieve their highest ambitions. When they’re ready to start their next mission, we stand ready to serve.
Travis Manion Foundation-
Travis Manion Foundation strives to unite and strengthen communities by training, developing, and highlighting the role models that lead them. We develop programs, training opportunities, and events designed to empower veterans and families of the fallen, and then inspire them to pass on their values to the next generation and the community at large.
American Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Network-
The Military and Veteran Caregiver Network (MVCN) offers peer-based support and services to connect those providing care to service members and veterans living with wounds, illnesses, injuries and/or aging. The mission of the MVCN is to provide our nation’s military and veteran caregivers of all eras with peer support to reduce isolation and increase connection, engagement, knowledge, skills and hope.
The MVCN helps caregivers of all eras and at all stages of caregiving by providing access to three peer support programs:
· Online Peer Support Community
· Peer Mentor Support Program
· Peer Support Groups (Online & Community-Based)
New Integrated Condolence Care Program - https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/press-release/2020/red-cross-offers-virtual-care-for-families-who-have-lost-loved-o.html
Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. is a Congressionally Chartered non-profit service organization made up of Gold Star spouses of both men and women.
Formed in 1945, our membership spans all eras from WWII to current. Our spouses died while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces or from their service connected disability as a result of that service, including PTSD/suicide. Our mission is to preserve and enhance benefits for surviving US Military spouses and children;
to help or members and their children face the future with courage and determination; and to honor the memory of our military spouses who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Memorial Day
Military Family
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
AAFMAA
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Memorial Day Military Family Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors AAFMAA
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 106
This is an incredible group of leaders to have join us on RallyPoint for a Q&A. Thanks so much for giving us your time. I have a question relevant to all of your organizations as we approach Memorial Day: what is the most important benefit that you provide to the survivors of those service members and Veterans we've lost?
show previous comments
Maj Bonnie Carroll
Audrey Krones - Hello Audrey, I am so sorry for the loss of your precious husband. TAPS is grateful for his service to our great country and your service and sacrifice. Please call TAPS 24/7 at 800.959.TAPS(8277) and our Casework team can offer support navigating benefits. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers a number of benefits to eligible surviving spouses and children. For example, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of service members and veterans whose death resulted from a service related injury or illness. The Survivor Pension is a tax-free monetary benefit payable to a low-income, un-remarried spouse and.or unmarried dependent child of a deceased veteran with wartime service. TAPS Casework provides support in navigating survivor benefits by leveraging partnerships with organizations like the Department of Veterans Affairs. Please call us at 800.959.TAPS (8277) or e-mail [login to see] . We are here for you. With care, Bonnie Carroll
Maj Bonnie Carroll
Sandy Linden - Dear Sandy, TAPS is the national non-profit organization providing 24/7 comfort, care and resources to all those grieving the death of a military loved one. For TAPS we welcome all survivors regardless of how or where their loved one died. What matters is that our military loved ones lived and served. As the national home for all those grieving the death of a loved one, TAPS welcomes survivors from all eras of service. Please connect with us 24/7 at 800.959.TAPS (8277) or TAPS.org. We are here for all. With care and support, Bonnie Carroll
Maj Bonnie Carroll
Mrs Darryl Coleman - Dear Mrs. Coleman, We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your precious Ronnie. We are grateful for the life and service of your father, a Lt Col in the United States Air Force. TAPS is the national non-profit organization providing 24/7 comfort, care and resources to all those grieving the death of a military loved one. We know life is hard now, and TAPS is here 24/7 at 800.959.TAPS (8277) to offer our care and compassion. We are here for you. With care and support, Bonnie Carroll
Maj Bonnie Carroll
SP6 Gerald Dombecki - Dear SP6 Dombecki, Thank you for your service to our great nation and your continued service to support fellow veterans and their families! Sending gratitude and support, Bonnie Carroll
It is wonderful to see this tremendous group of leaders and dear friends coming together to discuss this important topic. Can you share with us some key elements of the customer service experience that a survivor can expect when they engage with your organization? Thank you for your leadership in all that you do for our Veteran community.
Maj Bonnie Carroll
Sandy Linden - Dear Ms. Linden, Thank you for your question. TAPS provides comfort, care and resources to all those grieving the death of a military loved one. TAPS is ready 24/7 to support all survivors regardless of how or where their loved one died. With TAPS all survivors for all eras of service are welcome. Please know our 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline is always available toll-free with loving support and resources at 800.959.TAPS(8277).
RDML Ann Duff
Thank you Sir for your question and for your long service to the nation in both the public and private sectors. Although a very small office within VA, we make an effort to personally answer every contact -- email, phone, or in person -- with empathy and compassion. If we do not know the answer -- it can happen from time to time -- we acknowledge this, find the answer and get the information back to the individual with the question.
SSgt Danny Devine
Secretary Bob -- hope you are well .. you may recall your earlier and support for the Veterans Legacy Program and now the Veterans Legacy Memorial Platform. we in NCA hope you take a moment to look thru and post a Tribute on the VLM. we see this technology as our answer to the question: How does NCA improve on the 97% ACSI scoring last cycle. the virtual memorialization enables far-away family members or those without the ability to travel the opportunity to participate on their Veteran's page.
SSgt Danny Devine
Thank you for the question, Secretary Bob. At VA's National Cemetery Administration, we are pleased to offer the survivor community an opportunity to have a voice in how their loved one is memorialized. Each of the 3.8M servicemembers and Veterans interred in a VA National Cemetery has their own individual memorial page at the Veterans Legacy Memorial site, where tributes and memories can be posted and shared. https://www.va.gov/remember
Maj Bonnie Carroll
Dear CW5 Cardwell, thank you for your comment and your service to our great nation!
Thanks to all the wonderful panelists and the VA officials giving their time.
From the perspective of military family member, I think it’s often hard for us to think about survivor’s benefits or to make other plans related to the passing of a loved one. For those military families who have a Veteran in failing health, do you have any recommendations for those families on actions they should initiate with your organizations to honor the wishes of that Veteran before they pass away?
From the perspective of military family member, I think it’s often hard for us to think about survivor’s benefits or to make other plans related to the passing of a loved one. For those military families who have a Veteran in failing health, do you have any recommendations for those families on actions they should initiate with your organizations to honor the wishes of that Veteran before they pass away?
Mona Gunn
Kathy that is a question that I may be able to shed some light. I am a surviving mother and spouse. My husband was a 100% disabled veterans and was diagnosed with lung cancer. After our son was killed, he used his VA Educational benefits to obtain two degrees and was hired by the VA. But his passion was becoming active with a Veterans Service Organization. As a Service Officer for DAV, he helped many veterans with their disability claims. So when he was diagnosed with cancer, he knew what actions I needed to take in case he lost his battle with cancer. Prior to work for the Department of Veterans Affairs, when he was in college he worked with the Department of Veterans Affairs for our state. Because he knew what I should do if he passed he linked me to the VA Office in our state. My suggestion is to connect veterans in failing health with a veteran who is a Service Officer in a Veterans Service Organization like American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, etc. They would know exactly what to say to hear out his wishes and assure that they are carried out by his survivors.
RDML Ann Duff
No doubt this may be a difficult conversation to have, though we would encourage everyone to have it nevertheless. There is often a great deal of comfort that may be found when a veteran is able to participate in preparing for their family’s future, and it certainly much easier to learn the nuances of the various benefits and programs without the complication of grief weighing on one’s mind. I am certain every organization here will gladly discuss what is available with any family before they lose their veteran, and indeed we invite anyone to contact our office at [login to see] to talk about what they may be entitled to receive. There is a great publication from VBA called "Planning your Legacy" that can be very helpful for planning and it offers a great way to bring up questions and record answers. Here is a link to the pdf document -- https://www.cem.va.gov/cem/docs/factsheets/Planning_Legacy_Booklet.pdf Filling out preneed eligibility paperwork from NCA can also be very helpful -- https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/pre-need-eligibility/
SSgt Danny Devine
Kathy -- from the NCA view, taking a look at the Pre need app should interment in a National Cemetery is desired: https://www.cem.va.gov/pre-need/. this allows the collection of discharge documents to be found. While planning is often hard, it can be very helpful to do it beforehand -- especially when trying to determine location of the cemetery the family wishes to use so everyone knows ahead of time
.
.
Nancy Menagh
Thank you for this very important question. We have often seen the struggle that the spouse and/or children may sometimes have in obtaining benefits. Many times the Veteran has not applied for full disability benefits or sought care by the VA. By doing so, it will make it much easier for the surviving family to be able to obtain a claim. In particular, we have seen Veterans with PTSD or health issues related to Agent Orange that have not sought care from the VA and do not have an established claim. If there is one thing we would recommend it is that ALL Veterans with health issues investigate the possibility of a disability claim. If not for the service member today, do it for the surviving family tomorrow.
Our survivors are a population that we must never forget – thank you for the important work you are doing. I have found that our servicemen and women and their families are best supported through public-private partnerships. In 2008, the Army started Survivor Outreach Services to provide long-term care to our survivors. What resources and programs do you have available that can augment what the Army is doing for their survivors?
Mona Gunn
Thank you for your service General Casey. SOS has indeed been a frontrunner in providing long-term care to survivors, they continue to extend their services to survivors regardless of their fallen heroes' branch of service. They set the bar high for other branches of the military to model their programs after the Army SOS program. SOS has the ability to bring together Gold Star Family members for a variety of events so they can meet, and share their experiences with other Gold Star Families. This is an invaluable resource because it creates a bond with others who understand their loss, whether it be a sibling, father, wife or mother. Our founder, Grace Darling Seibold knew that sef-contained grief was self-destructive. American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. is a 501(c)3 service organization that provides an opportunity for moms, who have moved beyond the intense grief stage, to carry on the service started by our children. We find healing and strength in the company of other Mothers and in the ability to serve our veterans, active duty military, their families and our communities.
Maj Bonnie Carroll
General Casey, thank you for highlighting the need for public-private partnerships and the strength in leveraging non-DoD organizations like TAPS. TAPS is a family of survivors providing 24/7 support to all those grieving the death of a military loved one. Our founding core services allow us to meet survivors wherever they are in their journey of grief, and we're available 24/7. TAPS stands shoulder to shoulder with each branch of service, and other public-private partnerships to ensure all survivors are cared for following the death of their military loved one. TAPS provides Peer-Based Emotional Support in the form of seminars, retreats, expeditions and care groups at no cost to the family regardless of relationship or circumstance of death. Survivors are part of the TAPS family forever which is why we are able to support families as their grief shifts and needs evolve. TAPS Casework and Education Support Services support survivors to navigate both government and private benefits specific to their relationship to their loved one, the duty status at the time of death, and how they died. We also have our 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline staffed by peer-professionals highly trained in crisis intervention and providing peer-based emotional support. With gratitude, Bonnie
RDML Ann Duff
Thank you, General Casey. The Office of Survivors Assistance has enjoyed a long and productive working relationship with Survivor Outreach Services. On many occasions we have been of mutual service to each other on both individual survivor issues, as well as programmatic development. OSA staff have visited IMCOM on several occasions to provide training to SOS personnel regarding VA benefits and operations so that we may better serve our veterans, families, and survivors together.
Nancy Menagh
General Casey: Thank you so much for all the support of SOS. As an organization GSW is here to be supportive to all Gold Star spouses and their children. We are able to offer long time support, activities to survivors of all branches, and reach many survivors that are not served by SOS. Many of our members are survivors of service connected deaths rather than active duty death. We find that in many locations the segment of survivors of service connected death is not on the SOS radar. We provide many activities for Gold Star families including Memorial Day activities, benefit advocacy and education, claims assistance, and even the simple things like a 4th of July picinic - providing a time to get together with othes that have travelled the same journey of military life and grief.
Great to have these organizations on. I’d like to know from each, what is the greatest challenge you see veterans & survivors facing today and what is your organization currently doing to help?
Also, I’d like to know how you’ve changed your operations with COVID-19 in mind.
Also, I’d like to know how you’ve changed your operations with COVID-19 in mind.
RDML Ann Duff
The greatest challenge veterans face today is resiliency. The individual circumstance of service to our nation carries with it elevated risk to health -- physical, mental and emotional -- and economic sustainability. Many veterans enjoy tremendous opportunity as a result of the skills and life experiences that come from their time in service. However, there are many veterans whose life challenges are exacerbated by the outcomes of their service and they may lack the resilience to maintain their desired quality of life. The VA supports all veterans, however, resilient challenged veterans should be actively targeted for delivery of service and support. The Office of Survivor Assistance is working to develop tools to assist in the identification of eligibility for survivors.
Nancy Menagh
One of the biggest challenges for Veterans and Survivors we see today is the issue of TBI/PTSD/Drugs/Suicide. So many heartbreaking stories of how TBI and PTSD are treated and the subsequent issues resulting in possible drug issues and possible suicide. Another huge challenge are the health issues/cancers caused by exposure to Agent Orange, or ths generation's "Agent Orange" - exposure to burn pits. Not only do we need better screening, care, and expediting of claims for Veterans, but we need expeditiging of susequent claims for Survivinig Spouses and children. We have Surviving Spouses that may have to work for approval for a VA claim for 7 years or more to establish that a suicide death was caused by PTSD due to military service. This is because so often those suffering from PTSD or other health issues choose not to seek VA care and do not establish a claim history. A very common theme for those with PTSD.
SSgt Danny Devine
NCA During Pandemic
• COVID-19 has changed the way we operate.
• Based on our sacred mission, NCA cannot stop operating. In fact, given the nature of the pandemic, NCA is now much busier than normal.
Memorial Day
• We are committed to ensuring each national cemetery observes Memorial Day while protecting the health and safety of visitors and team members.
• NCA will not host any public Memorial Day events or ceremonies – including group placement of flags next to gravesites.
o This was a difficult but necessary decision
o Traditionally these events are well attended and supported by the community, but unfortunately, hosting gatherings of these sizes is not advisable due to concerns about COVID-19.
o Individuals and Families may still place flowers or small American flags at their Veteran’s gravesite.
• Cemetery staff will conduct a wreath-laying ceremony and play Taps to officially commemorate Memorial Day. Very small, not open to pubic.
• NCA will invite the public to join us virtually:
o Posting live streams, photos and videos of these ceremonies on our Facebook pages;
o Inviting people to pay Tribute to a Veteran on the Veterans Legacy Memorial site – http://www.va.gov/remember
• COVID-19 has changed the way we operate.
• Based on our sacred mission, NCA cannot stop operating. In fact, given the nature of the pandemic, NCA is now much busier than normal.
Memorial Day
• We are committed to ensuring each national cemetery observes Memorial Day while protecting the health and safety of visitors and team members.
• NCA will not host any public Memorial Day events or ceremonies – including group placement of flags next to gravesites.
o This was a difficult but necessary decision
o Traditionally these events are well attended and supported by the community, but unfortunately, hosting gatherings of these sizes is not advisable due to concerns about COVID-19.
o Individuals and Families may still place flowers or small American flags at their Veteran’s gravesite.
• Cemetery staff will conduct a wreath-laying ceremony and play Taps to officially commemorate Memorial Day. Very small, not open to pubic.
• NCA will invite the public to join us virtually:
o Posting live streams, photos and videos of these ceremonies on our Facebook pages;
o Inviting people to pay Tribute to a Veteran on the Veterans Legacy Memorial site – http://www.va.gov/remember
Maj Bonnie Carroll
TSgt LaDeane Palmar - Hello TSgt Palmer, Thank you for your service to our great nation. TAPS is the national non-profit organization providing comfort, care, and resources to all those grieving the death of a military loved one. We are available 24/7 to ensure all military survivors receive support following the death of their service member. Please call us at 800.959.TAPS(8277) or visit us at TAPS.org and share how we can help you. With hope, Bonnie Carroll
In the Navy, Sailors execute our missions around the globe with greater confidence knowing that organizations like yours are standing by to care for our survivors if we are required to make the ultimate sacrifice. Having served for nearly 40 years, I extend my gratitude to you for being there for our military families when they are most vulnerable. What thematic challenges do you sense survivors still face that are not yet solved and for which we should all be working on a solution?
Amy Looney
Hello Admiral Harvey - At the Travis Manion Foundation we see the challenges that survivors have been through make them a unique asset to our society, and we need to leverage them as assets, when the time is right, to make our communities stronger. Additionally, I do believe there are challenges with ensuring that survivors are informed of the various benefits and resources that are available to them. There are many wonderful organizations out there that provide much-needed services, but we often hear from our community that they wish they had known of these services sooner. Each survivor charts different courses at different times and collectively the survivor support organizations, VA, and DOD are working together to ensure that survivors have accessibility to resources they need and are aware of updates and changes to programming and benefits in a more timely manner.
Mona Gunn
Thank you for your service Admiral Harvey and the biggest challenge for surviving mothers which we feel need work on solving is the meaning of Gold Star. When we were in elementary school we received a gold star from our teacher. But receiving a Gold Star from the DoD has a totally different meaning. It is always a challenge educating others (general public, veterans, active duty, other survivors) that the Casualty Officers presents two kinds of pins to immediate family members. Both pins have a gold star but one has a purple background and the other has a gold background. The type of pin given depends on the circumstances of the death. But they all die on active duty and the focus should be on their honorable service. Less than one percent of our population choose to serve in the Armed Forces and we enjoy our freedoms because of their service. So the challenge for us is educating others that they all serve and die on active duty and how they died is not as important as they choosing to join the military.
Maj Bonnie Carroll
Hello Admiral Harvey and thank you for your question. Each survivor is unique in the challenges they face after losing their military loved one. After nearly three decades of connecting and supporting military survivors, TAPS knows the most important thing we can do for all those grieving the death of a military loved one is to connect with them personally and guide them through the incredibly emotional process of losing their loved one. Thematically, many of the challenges surviving families face is the result of a gap in knowledge that exists among those outside the military community. Each day, TAPS is welcoming an average of 23 new survivors. These survivors are parents grieving the death of their child who served in the military, spouses, children grieving the death of their parent, and siblings. Our survivors also include ex-spouses, partners, fiancee's and significant others. TAPS knows we only grieve because we love and we find the challenges often lie in ensuring that all survivors know they are welcome with TAPS regardless of how or where their military loved one died, TAPS will support them. With gratitude for your service and support, Bonnie Carroll
Nancy Menagh
Thank you Admiral for your question: This is a very important question which a number of participants have asked. Finding a way to reach out to the surviving families of service connected deaths is very difficult. Without a CAO it is hard for the family to get the information they need and to find the resources from both agencies and non profits. We need to find a better way to reach these families.
Great to have these tremendous organizations all in one forum. I remember meeting Bonnie Carroll, TAPS President, at a co-beneficiary golf fundraiser in Colorado in 2014, when I was with Project Sanctuary.
Sometimes nonprofits with good intentions end up "competing" to serve their beneficiaries, thereby reducing funding and making it difficult for beneficiaries to choose. My question for the group, as a former member of the nonprofit community, is how are each of you working together to meet the needs of survivors?
Sometimes nonprofits with good intentions end up "competing" to serve their beneficiaries, thereby reducing funding and making it difficult for beneficiaries to choose. My question for the group, as a former member of the nonprofit community, is how are each of you working together to meet the needs of survivors?
Mona Gunn
Good question LTC and thank you for your service. Each of our organizations has a different mission. Each survivor has different needs based on where they are on this journey we share. So it is imperative that we work together because the needs of survivors are different. One organization can meet a need that another may not be able to address.
Amy Looney
Great question, LTC Strickland. Travis Manion Foundation prides itself in our collaborations with other veteran and survivor support organizations. Collectively, we’ve made great strides in highlighting the importance of focusing on preventive measures to suicide through the White House PREVENTS Task Force and other Survivor Coalitions and Roundtables. For example, TMF’s Houston office, located within the Combined Arms Center, works hand in hand, with other military organizations to assist survivors and veterans. TMF believes that to make the biggest impact and reach the most veterans and survivors, it is essential to work alongside other survivor and veteran service support organizations.
Maj Bonnie Carroll
Hello LTC Strickland, thank you for your comment and it is lovely to hear from you again! Now more than ever it is so important for all of us to work together to meet the needs of our military survivors. We are truly stronger together. TAPS maintains close partnerships with over 111 different organizations and government agencies serving military survivors to ensure we are leveraging all available resources to resolve the needs of military survivors. We are thankful for the opportunity to work together just like each of our military branches of service work together to protect our country, it is our duty to work together to support all those they loved and left behind. With gratitude for your service and support, Bonnie Carroll
Maj Bonnie Carroll
Thank you for the compliment, PO1 H Lawrence. We are grateful for your support and your service to our great nation, Bonnie Carroll
PO1 H Gene Lawrence
I’m honored to have y’all respond so kindly. I thank you for service and your continued service to veterans. Be blessed everyone.
Thank you for doing this event. It’s very important. In view of the various government and non profit resources and benefits available to survivors, where are the ongoing unmet needs or biggest holes in coverage?
Mona Gunn
Thank you for your service Sec. Deborah and American Gold Star Mothers is a service organization for mothers and outreach to them is one of our biggest holes. Our nonprofit is a little different because we are a private membership organization who find healing by giving back to others. Therefore we find that some mothers are ready to join us and others are not. But they need to know that we will be there for them when they are ready. There are hundreds of nonprofit organizations out there and the hole is created for survivors when they are not aware or familiar with each organization and its mission.
Melissa Comeau
The American Red Cross has developed a Virtual Family Assistance Center to support survivors who have lost a loved one to COVID-19. Families can request support through https://forms.microsoft.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Ql1b3dPA0kq18WDts68ncff8HfhQNF9NrTcgMW6f2qpUMFpCQkNBMjU0Q0c2N0pMOVZKUTNKNFYzRy4u
or by calling toll-free at [login to see]
On behalf of the Red Cross team, we are extending our deepest sympathy for the loss of your loved one to the coronavirus. Grieving is always difficult, and we recognize the COVID-19 pandemic creates additional challenges and needs. This Virtual Family Assistance Center offers information and resources that we hope will help you during this time.
or by calling toll-free at [login to see]
On behalf of the Red Cross team, we are extending our deepest sympathy for the loss of your loved one to the coronavirus. Grieving is always difficult, and we recognize the COVID-19 pandemic creates additional challenges and needs. This Virtual Family Assistance Center offers information and resources that we hope will help you during this time.
Maj Bonnie Carroll
Thank you for your question, Secretary James. TAPS carefully connects with all those grieving the death of a military loved one to do a thorough gap analysis and needs assessment for each survivor. TAPS knows the needs of one survivor may be very different from another survivor. TAPS provides 24/7 access to support through our National Military Survivor Helpline, local community support through community based care, assistance and support navigating casework assistance and benefits. TAPS does all these initiatives through peer-based emotional support. We are a national network of military survivors helping survivors to heal. With gratitude for your support and service, Bonnie Carroll
Nancy Menagh
Secretary James: We see a gap in reaching out to long term survivors, especially those of service connected. Service connected are not assigned CAO since not active duty. They have a very difficult time navigating the benefit systems. They have no way to be informed of the various resources and non-profits that are available to assist them. We need a way to find these families to offer assistance. Part of this gap is how to support for families of service connected PTSD/suicide as they especially are isolated and do not know how to access or even apply for benefits.
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google