Navy Nominee Named for Fisher Award

From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Chief of Naval Personnel announced June 24 that Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the Navy's nominee for the Calendar Year 2014 Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award.

TAPS, a non-profit organization, was selected for their services of providing comfort, hope, compassionate care, support and assistance, at no cost, to surviving families, friends, and loved ones of fallen American service members.

"TAPS clearly exemplifies the values held so important by Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher through their acts of patriotism, generosity and selfless dedication," said Vice Adm. Bill Moran, Chief of Naval Personnel. "They provide help, hope and healing to all family members, loved ones and friends grieving the death of a loved one who died while serving in our Armed Forces."

Founded in 1994 by Bonnie Carroll after her husband and seven others were killed in an Army plane crash, TAPS was established to provide peer-based, emotional and financial support to anyone affected by the loss of a loved one in the Armed Forces. To date, TAPS has provided grief and bereavement assistance to more than 50,000 surviving family members, casualty officers and caregivers and other supporters of bereaved military families.

TAPS services include providing a 24/7 resource and informational helpline answered 365 days a year to offer support and assistance to resolve difficult issues and help families in general. The organization also offers tailored support for young survivors - "Good Grief" Camps to assist children through the grieving process, pairing them with a trained, volunteer military member to create a lasting relationship of mentorship.

The TAPS organization is competing with nominees from the other branches of service for the Fisher Award. The final awardee will be recognized during a ceremony this fall at the Pentagon.

Established in 1996 by the Department of Defense in honor of Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher, the Fisher Award is a service-wide recognition of a private sector individual or organization that demonstrates exceptional patriotism and humanitarian concerns for service members and their families.