Joining Forces: Saluting Those Who Serve -- TAPS
Thursday, November 10, 2016 | General, Football, Chris Harry
The Tragedy Assistance For Survivors (TAPS) is an outreach program for those who don't fall under the "Gold Star" classification.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In military vernacular, the term "Gold Star Family" has become synonymous with a combination of heroism and tragedy. When a father, mother, sister, brother, son or daughter die while serving their nation, the family is recognized by the term.
But those aren't the only grieving families that have sacrificed for their nation.
That's where TAPS comes in.
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) was established in 1994 as a national non-profit organization that supports all those who have lost a loved one who served in the U.S. Armed forces. Its peer-support network operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The organization's work will recognized Saturday, when No. 16 Florida takes on South Carolina in the 2016 home finale at the "Swamp," as part of UF's season-long military appreciation efforts.
"We provide outreach to those dealing with service-connected death," said Kelly Griffith, TAPS media relations manager. "Parents, children, spouses, siblings, extended family … we support anyone who has lost a loved one."
Now, there is an extended arm of the organization that brings TAPS together with athletics. It's called "teams4taps." The initiative was launched in 2013 and has given families of the fallen opportunities to engage with the teams they cheered for with their fallen hero.
This was how the Carolina Panthers partnered with teams4taps during the NFL playoffs last season.
On Saturday, 12 members of the UF football team will wear the initials of a fallen military member — every one of them will have ties to the Gators.
"That really kind of puts things in perspective," UF coach Jim McElwain said.
The players chosen to wear the numbers will be given the story of the soldier they are honoring. Their names are listed in the chart below.
"We like to see this isn't about their deaths, but a celebration of their lives," Griffith said. "For these families, it's overwhelming to realize that people have not forgotten and that our loved ones are being honored in such a beautiful way."
But those aren't the only grieving families that have sacrificed for their nation.
That's where TAPS comes in.
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) was established in 1994 as a national non-profit organization that supports all those who have lost a loved one who served in the U.S. Armed forces. Its peer-support network operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The organization's work will recognized Saturday, when No. 16 Florida takes on South Carolina in the 2016 home finale at the "Swamp," as part of UF's season-long military appreciation efforts.
"We provide outreach to those dealing with service-connected death," said Kelly Griffith, TAPS media relations manager. "Parents, children, spouses, siblings, extended family … we support anyone who has lost a loved one."
Now, there is an extended arm of the organization that brings TAPS together with athletics. It's called "teams4taps." The initiative was launched in 2013 and has given families of the fallen opportunities to engage with the teams they cheered for with their fallen hero.
This was how the Carolina Panthers partnered with teams4taps during the NFL playoffs last season.
On Saturday, 12 members of the UF football team will wear the initials of a fallen military member — every one of them will have ties to the Gators.
"That really kind of puts things in perspective," UF coach Jim McElwain said.
The players chosen to wear the numbers will be given the story of the soldier they are honoring. Their names are listed in the chart below.
"We like to see this isn't about their deaths, but a celebration of their lives," Griffith said. "For these families, it's overwhelming to realize that people have not forgotten and that our loved ones are being honored in such a beautiful way."
| Honored | Rank / Branch | Age | From | Gator Ties |
| Ivan D. Lechowich | First Lt. / Army | 27 | Valrico, Fla. | Lifelong Gator fan |
| Nicholas S. Whitlock | Capt. / Air Force | 29 | Newnan, Ga. | UF Masters in Business Administration |
| Bryan David Berky | SSgt. / Air Force | 25 | Tampa, Fla. | Attended Starke Bradford High School |
| Christopher Todd Neiberger | Specialist / Army | 22 | Bronx, N.Y. | Father was UF employee for 28 years |
| Donald Wayne Vincent | PFC / Marines | 26 | Slidell, La. | Attended Gainesville High School |
| Norman Michael "Ehren" Murburg | PFC / Army | 21 | Dade City, Fla. | Studied at UF for two years |
| Fred Henry Stark, Jr. | Sgt. / Marines | 43 | Ellenville, N.Y. | Lived in Tampa, Jacksonville, loved the Gators |
| Philip Paul Clark | LCpl / Marines | 19 | Jackson, Miss. | Attended Gainesville Buchholz High. |
| Devin Tyler Reynolds | PFC / Marines | 21 | Lakeland,Fla. | Newberry High, huge Gator fan |
| Joshua Islam | PFC / Marines | 18 | Gainesville, Fla. | Both parents were UF grads |
| Karl Campbell | Sgt / Army | 34 | Chiefland, Fla. | Sister was passionate Gator fan |
| John A. Reiners | SSG / Army | 34 | Haines City, Fla. | Mom is UF employee |
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