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Thunderbolt NEWS Dec. 11, 2015 7
http://www.luke.af.mil Facebook.com/LukeThunderbolt
Gone, never forgotten
Story and photo by Staff Sgt. also develop coping skills and support Senior Airman Christina Varland, 56th Component Maintenance Squadron adminis-
STACI MILLER systems as they build friendships with tration specialist, participates as a mentor for the Transition Assistance Program for
other kids who understand what they are Survivors camp Saturday in Scottsdale. TAPS is different from other grief programs
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs living through. in that the directors make a point to match the children with active-duty mentors.
Losing a loved one who served in the “We are a connection to the military our services,” Daley said. “Regardless of dren, but to the military mentors as well.
military can be devastating to a child, for these surviving children,” Daley said. the relationship the person had with the “It was really rewarding to be there
but one program aims to show children “For some of these kids, the military is the service member, they’re welcome here.
they’re not alone and are still part of the only life they’ve known, so the military If they loved that service member then and get to know these kids,” Varland said.
military family. members coming here is really important. they’re part of the TAPS family.” “This program shows them they’re not
These kids know the mentors are military alone, and there are people out there who
Thunderbolts from Luke Air Force Base and this is a huge deal to them because TAPS is not only beneficial to the chil- want to help.”
participated as mentors in the Transition they miss it. It’s been a huge part of their
Assistance Program for Survivors camp lives, and just knowing that someone in
Dec. 5 in Scottsdale. the military cares is important.”
“TAPS provides an opportunity for The mentors spent the day engaging
grieving children to honor and remember with the children and participated in ac-
their loved one,” said Vanessa Daley, TAPS tivities right beside them. The activities
project manager. “That’s the whole point varied depending on age but the overall
of this weekend. We call it a ‘good grief ’ theme was the same –companionship.
camp because we want them to leave here
with their little hearts full, and we want “It was like a big brother, big sister
them to know they’re still part of the camp where we, as mentors, got to spend
military. We don’t focus a ton on the death the day with them and form a connection,”
itself. We focus more on coping skills and said Senior Airman Christina Varland,
things they can do once they leave here 56th Component Maintenance Squadron
to work through the grief they still have.” administration specialist. “At the begin-
ning of the day, the kids seemed quiet
TAPS is different from other grief pro- and closed off but they definitely opened
grams in that the directors make a point up by the end. It was a fun process to see
to match the children with active-duty and be a part of.”
mentors for a specific reason — the con-
tinued involvement in the military family. TAPS camps take place all over the
The goal is to help children build lasting country and are open to anyone who lost
relationships that reconnect them to the a service member.
military life they once knew. The children
“We don’t have any expiration date for
DecembER.
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