Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 9-25-18

Military
TAPS To Host 10th Annual Suicide Survivor Seminar For Military Families
Couple’s Vow Renewal And Birthday Celebration
Local
A Vow Renewal Service was held for Mr. and Mrs. Ferris (Gwendella Wright) Pugh, and a Surprise Birthday Party was held for Mrs. Pugh on August 11th. The couple celebrated their 20th Wedding Anniversary, while Mrs. Pugh celebrated her 52nd birthday.
Family, friends and co-workers joined the couple at A Level Up Rental Hall for the cele- bration. Music was by DJ Pun. Others who helped to make the event successful were: Dale Horton (catering), Robbin Taylor (decorations), Iris Hayes (proprietor of the business), and Lillie Toombs-Minor (flowers and coordinator). (Photographs by Frederick Har- ris)
TAPS welcomes over 1,000 spouses, parents, chil- dren, siblings and battle buddies grieving the death of a service member
ARLINGTON, VA -– The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) will welcome surviving parents, spouses, children, siblings and others grieving the death of a military loved one to its Tenth Annual TAPS National Military Suicide Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp on Oct. 5-8. The semi- nar will be held at the Innis- brook Resort, in Palm Harbor.
The Seminar will focus on providing support and re- sources to surviving families as they find hope connecting with fellow suicide loss sur- vivors and sharing their per- sonal stories of loss.
Kim Ruocco, Vice Pres- ident of Suicide Prevention and Postvention at TAPS said, “The grief that follows a suicide loss is uniquely com- plicated, and it’s important for those who have lost a mil- itary loved one to suicide to connect with others who are experiencing a similar jour- ney.
“Families need to know they are not alone. They will come from across the country to join us to learn more about how to cope with their loss, honor their loved one and find hope and healing to- gether.”
This year’s seminar marks the 10th anniversary of the event, which highlights a groundbreaking program that came into existence as a result of increased suicide rates in the military and vet-
eran population that began a decade ago. With more than 10,000 suicide loss survivors in its care, TAPS developed a number of best practices on suicide prevention and postvention, which it proac- tively shares with organiza- tions inside the military and veteran community and be- yond in the civilian world.
The Centers for Disease Control released a new report in June indicating suicide rates are up in nearly every state. In the past decade, the military and vet- eran community has dealt with a significant increase in the number of suicides and is actively working to address the problem.
Additionally, the high- profile deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bour- dain earlier this year height- ened public awareness of the suicide epidemic.
This year’s seminar will host nearly 1,000 adults and children, military mentors and professionals in the field of suicidology.
For children, the seminar will include a TAPS Good Grief Camp, where children grieving the death of a parent or sibling who served in the Armed Forces will learn cop- ing strategies and meet oth- ers who have experienced a similar loss.
During the camp, the chil- dren will be paired one-on- one with military mentors who are TAPS-trained mili- tary Service Members, Guardsmen, Reservists or re- cently separated veterans who provide companionship to the young survivors and help to keep them connected to the military community.
Pastor James and Mrs. Cherisa Reed, Jr., with Ferris Pugh and Gwendella Wright-Pugh, center.
Shirley Meadows, Lauren Caine and Keisa Smith were among the guests for the anniversary/birthday celebration.
These
Wright-McCoy,
Richard Wright, Richelle Wright and Tajuana Brown.
guests
with the Gwendella
honorees Wright-Pugh,
Shown here are: Ibias Ortiz-Mestre, Ferris Pugh, Gwendella Wright-Pugh, Ketty Vasquez and Michael Vasquez.
Antansy Williams Griffin and Veltria Williams.
are:
Monica Elder
Jackie Mickens and Ida Smith were among the guests in attendance.
Mar’Shanna Brown, Sharon Toombs Boone, Lillie Toombs-Minor, Savanna Dorsey and Erin Marlena Brown enjoyed the celebration.
PAGE 8 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018