COMMANDER’S CORNER: EARTH DAY 2017 – HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED - PAGE 2 Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Vol. 61 No. 16
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors hosts local event
(Courtesy photo)
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Mentors and mentees taking part in the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors Regional Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp visit the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, despite the falling snow, April 1, 2017. About 300 people attended the seminar March 31-April 2 for those who have lost a military family member. By Dave Smith 21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — In light of the recent death of Staff Sgt. Austin L. Bieren, 21st Security Forces Squadron, the topic of grief made its way through Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, and into area headlines.
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors takes that subject head on every day. About 300 people gathered March 31-April 2 at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Colorado Springs, for the TAPS Regional Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp. The event is one of five regional seminars hosted by TAPS this year. TAPS is a national organization providing compassionate care for surviving families of military members who died
while serving their country. The organization brings families together to share their stories while learning to cope with grief and find healing through common experiences. “The weekend was profoundly impactful,” said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS founder and president. “There were a lot of first timers so it was the first time for them to see the resources See Survivors page 15
AIR FORCE ASSISTANCE FUND
Making sure Airmen can focus on the mission By Dave Smith 21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — In the early 1990s a young second lieutenant stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, with a pregnant wife, faced a family emergency requiring immediate action. His grandmother died in California, but his budget was not prepared for the expense of returning for the funeral. Fortunately, somebody connected him
to Air Force Assistance Fund resources for a low interest loan and he was able to make the trip to be with his family at that pivotal time. That Airman was 21st Space Wing Commander Col. Doug Schiess. He shared his story during the AFAF fundraising campaign kickoff breakfast April 12 at the Club on Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. The campaign officially began April 10 and runs until May 19. See Assistance Fund page 3
(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tiffany Lundberg)
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — Col. Doug Schiess, 21st Space Wing commander, signs the Air Force Assistance Fund forms contributing funds for Airmen in need of emergency assistance, April 18, 2017, at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. The AFAF’s campaign goal is to raise $69,350 from Team Pete to provide financial emergency assistance to retired Airmen, surviving spouses and Airmen.
INSIDE News Briefs Crossword Classifieds
1-15 4 21 22
Coin-op burrito box Page 7
Spanish House: 89 years of service Page 8
AFSPC members provide Kids Against Hunger meals Page 12