Greywolf Soldiers Bring Smiles to Families of Fallen Soldiers

Photo By Sgt. Jessica DuVernay | A Soldier and mentor, plays a game of Twister with a young girl at the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Good Grief Camp, at Duncan Elementary School on Fort Hood 24 Feb. Soldiers were encouraged to come out of their comfort zones in order to provide a comfortable environment for the children.  

FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

02.26.2018

Story by Sgt. Jessica DuVernay 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

FORT HOOD, TX – Nearly 100 Soldiers from the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team “Greywolf,” 1st Cavalry Division, participated in the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivor’s Good Grief Camp, where Soldiers paired up and mentored children of all ages who have suffered the tragedy of a lost service member, 23-25 Feb., at the Duncan Elementary School on Fort Hood.

“TAPS is a non-profit organization that provides compassionate care to the families of all of America’s fallen servicemembers,” said Karl Hillway, Logistics and Mentor Manager for youth services, TAPS. “We open it up to every family of a fallen hero, to whomever is grieving the loss of their fallen hero.”

Good Grief Camp is in place for children of a fallen servicemember, to be able to maintain their connection to the military. By being paired with an active or recently separated veteran, TAPS ensures that that child still has a path to the military community. The importance of the program is in the willingness of the Soldiers to volunteer and to provide that comfort that the child may not otherwise receive.

“TAPS is important, so we do not forget our Goldstar Families, and we can be there for them in the absence of their loved ones,” explained Sgt. Maj. Caesar Llanez, operations sergeant major, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3ABCT, 1CD. “We must ensure that the Families who have given just as much of their time and dedication to duty as their fallen serviceman or woman are never forgotten for the role of support they have provided.”

A benefit of the TAPS program is that the Soldiers are not just present for the weekend. The children will have a mentor and also a friend they can reach out to should they choose. As the Greywolf Brigade has recently returned from a deployment, Soldiers have the opportunity to reflect on what their volunteering really means.

“It’s very important for me because a lot of people lose a loved one, and they don’t have the support from anyone to make them see what’s next for the future,” said Spc. James Anestin, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3ABCT, 1 CD. “I have three kids of my own, and so I would want that support for my family should something ever happen to me.”

In order to volunteer for the mentorship program, interested parties are required to submit to background testing to ensure the safety of the children. For more information please go to www.taps.org.

• Date Taken: 02.26.2018
• Date Posted: 02.27.2018 17:42
• Story ID: 267426
• Location: FORT HOOD, TX, US