USO/TAPS Family Strengthening Programs

TAPS Good Grief Camps

The USO, in partnership with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), hosts multiple grief camps throughout the year for families of the fallen. Good Grief Camps provide children and teenagers a safe and supportive atmosphere to participate in activities, learn grief coping skills, establish and identify support systems and create awareness that they are not alone in the grief of their loved one. You can sign up here. You can volunteer/donate here. 

Moyer Foundation - Camp Erin

In 2011, The Moyer Foundation partnered with the USO and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) to bring the first ever Camp Erin/TAPS grief camps designed specifically for children grieving the loss of their parent or sibling who served in the Armed Forces. Camp Erin is a weekend-long experience filled with traditional, fun, camp activities combined with grief education and emotional support, all facilitated by grief professionals and trained volunteers. Visit the Camp Erin website for more information and ways to get involved. 

USO/Wounded Warrior Program Family Strengthening Programs

Stronger Families – Oxygen Couples Seminar

The Oxygen program is designed to help wounded, injured or ill couples strengthen their relationship and work on tough issues in a fun and non-threatening environment. Couples learn how to improve communication, better understand each other’s needs, resolve conflicts, rekindle romance and find renewed hope. With the assistance of the Army’s Wounded Warrior Program, Navy Safe Harbor and the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment, the USO is hosting couples workshops throughout the country in 2012. For more information click here. To sign up for an upcoming event click here. 

NMFA Healing Adventures Retreats for Wounded Warrior Families

The USO partners with the National Military Family Association Healing Adventures Camps to bring together families who have a parent who is wounded, ill or injured to participate in a four-day camp experience. Each camp focuses on activities and seminars for families to “learn to play together” after a difficult and long recovery process. For more information click here. 

Operation Purple Program 

When you hear "Operation Purple camp" you should think: Kids Serve Too! The National Military Family Association's Operation Purple camps are a time for having fun, making friends, and reminding military kids that they are the Nation's youngest heroes.

The Operation Purple program was created in 2004 in response to the call from military parents to "help us help our kids." The mission of the Operation Purple program is to empower military children and their families to develop and maintain healthy and connected relationships, in spite of the current military environment. We do this through a variety of means, including the healing and holistic aspect of the natural world. The program is joint or "purple"— and open to children and families of active duty, National Guard or Reserve service members from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or the Commissioned Corps of the US Public Health Service and NOAA.

Since its creation in 2004, the Operation Purple program has grown to serve approximately 45,000 military children and teens. The Operation Purple program also includes family retreats at national parks and specialized family camps geared to address the needs of children and families of our nation’s wounded service members.

A Website for All Things After Deployment

If you still haven't found the answers to what you've been dealing with. I found a great website to help with all things related to after deployment. www.AfterDeployment.org Here you will find information about anger, families and friendships, life stress, stigmas, health and wellness, and families with kids to name a few. Each topic of interest includes: assessments to take in the privacy of your own home, interactive workshops, videos of those going through the same thing, and other related resources. You may need to make an online account to gain access to some of the items, but it is worth it. 

A Little About the Author of This Blog

I probably should have made this my first post but I got so caught up in my sincere interest to provide information to  deal with deployments and handle homecomings. My passion is families, particularly military families. 

My dad's retirement ceremony November 2010. From left to right:
Mom; Nancy, sister: Katrina, brother; Giusto, Me, brother; Giovanni,
brother; Gino, brother; Giorgio, my dad's mom; Sharon, and my dad; Kevin. 

What makes me such an expert? Well I, myself grew up in a military family. My dad was in the U.S. Air Force for 26 years. As a result my mom, five siblings and I got to travel, experience a unique lifestyle living overseas, in Japan, for 6 years, and we made friends with other military families from all over the world. 

In my humble opinion a military lifestyle has many more advantages than disadvantages. 

Yeah, we had to deal with the fear when my dad got deployed to several places such as Afghanistan, and different locations in Africa and Southeast Asia. He has missed several birthdays, school functions and achievements, and other meaningful moments like Thanksgiving and Christmas. The planes he flies on do get shot at and the bases where he gets deployed to do get bombed frequently. 

Somehow, everything turns out okay. We will never stop worrying or ever take for granted the life we live or those who protect our freedoms. My deepest condolences go to those whose lives haven't been as positively affected by the military, but no matter what you're never alone. There are so many support groups, volunteers/donors, non-profit organizations such as the USO, counseling services, and other military members and dependents who are going through the same things and can and will be there for you. That's why I'm writing this blog to show that you're not alone and I support you and your sacrifices. 

A Great Resource for Children Handling the Return of Their Parent

Military kids require special attention during the homecoming process. The following link provides very important information regarding three phases of homecoming: anticipation, readjustment, and stabilization. It also discusses some common reactions of children in stages ranging from infants to teenagers and some tips for their parents and teachers.  

Welcome Home! 

Military Kids, Homecoming & Reunion

After the Homecoming Honeymoon: What to Expect

Homecoming for a military family is a joyous occasion but that phase has varying lengths and some important considerations to plan for. Communication is the key to a smooth transition to reintegrate yourself or your spouse back into the family household. Make sure you communicate your expectations or desired plans before homecoming. Do you want to come home to relax and unwind or do you want to go out a lot or take an extended vacation?  

In some instances military members may come home from a deployment with some form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or suffer from other psychological/emotional damage. It is the family's responsibility to comfort and confront their spouse and seek immediate help for them. You may face a struggle or resistance at first but if they really are suffering then you will be doing what's in their best interest. 

Spouses especially need to be patient with one another when reintegrating their living situations together again such as sharing space, or reestablishing domestic and parental roles. Even seemingly easy gestures such as showing love physically and verbally may not come easy at first. 

If things aren't going as well as you had anticipated, don't get discouraged or give up on your marriage. These difficult times require lots of work and meaningful attention. Click here for some sources if you need further assistance on regaining a stable family environment after a spouse has returned home. 

USO Partners with Military Children's Support Group

The With You All the Way program, in partnership with the Trevor Romain Company and the Comfort Crew for Military Kids, supports children ages six to 18 as they tackle the difficult issues unique to growing up in a military family.

As an inspirational humorist, President and Co-Founder of the Trevor Romain Company, Trevor Romain teaches real-life lessons for children, such as:

•  dealing with bullies, 
• facing fears, 
• coping with divorce and 
• understanding grief.

The With You All the Way program reaches military children in three areas: 

• With You All the Way tour - performances are led by Romain and provide him with an opportunity to listen to what children are experiencing and help them cope and express themselves in positive ways. 
• With You All the Way support kits - the USO offers support kits that help children and caregivers as they cope with serious issues such as deployment, separation and reintegration. The kit’s contents vary by audience, but all contain a journal to encourage children to face their fears and anxieties, document joyful days and overall express those feelings unique to their military childhood. Click here to donate. 
• resources specifically for children of our nation’s wounded, ill or injured service men and women - for those children whose loved one returns home with a visible and/or invisible wound, the USO and Trevor Romain offer support in the form of tailored presentations and support kits to help them cope with the challenges of reintegration and their “new normal.” When children are faced with the ultimate sacrifice, the loss of their loved one, the With You All the Way program provides memory boxes and comfort kits with comprehensive resources that are informative and most importantly, supportive for children and their families coping with loss.