TAPS, a military family support group, hosted a watch party after being cut from the inauguration parade, bringing families together in Arlington.
Washington: So, TAPS had to change their plans big time for Inauguration Day. They were all set to be in the parade, but then they got the news that everything was moving indoors. Bummer, right?
Families from all over the country had traveled to be part of this special day. Instead of marching, they gathered at TAPS headquarters in Arlington to watch the inauguration together. It was a bittersweet moment for everyone.
Even though they missed out on the parade, a good crowd showed up to support each other. Watching the inauguration was emotional, especially for those remembering their loved ones. Brian White, who came from Dallas, said it felt good to be with people who understand their pain.
Some folks had lost loved ones just months ago, while others had been grieving for years. But the heartache doesn’t really fade, does it? “Some days are better than others,” said Ashton Curtis, and that’s so true.
Originally, around 200 people from 32 states were supposed to join TAPS in the parade. Kim White wanted to honor her son, PFC Logan White, who served in the Army. She said, “If I can show the world Logan, to me that was my why.”
Logan was just 28 when he lost his battle with PTSD and a traumatic brain injury. His family remembers him as a carefree guy who loved life. They keep his memory alive with matching tattoos and stickers everywhere.
For them, the parade was another way to honor Logan. Diana Roday Hosford from TAPS said hosting the watch party was the least they could do. “Bringing them together is what is most impactful and meaningful,” she noted.
TAPS even prepared gift bags with buttons and paddles featuring pictures of their loved ones. Though they couldn’t walk in the parade, the families took home these mementos, making the day special in its own way.
