Falcons virtually hosting TAPS Families for Salute To Service week

In an annual tradition dating back to 2016, the Atlanta Falcons are hosting TAPS Families this week. This year, the team will be honoring all 280 families and their fallen heroes that have previously participated in the events from 2016-2019. Unlike in normal years, the team has shifted to a strictly virtual experience as the event navigates around the current pandemic. TAPS provides comfort, care and resources to all those grieving the loss of a military loved one and the Falcons partner with TAPS to bring a unique, and personal experience to the families.

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On Monday, the team kicked off the virtual Tragedy Assistance for Survivors (TAPS) activations that will take place throughout the week leading up to the Salute To Service game on Sunday against the Denver Broncos. Eight TAPS families, two from each year that the event has taken place, joined virtually for a family night of fun, including a flag making activity. Special guests included CEO of AMB Group, LLC Steve Cannon, Atlanta Falcons players and team mascot Freddie Falcon.

The team will welcome all 280 TAPS Families on Friday, Nov. 6 for the TAPS Never Forgotten Virtual Reunion. This virtual webinar will look back on the partnership between TAPS and the Falcons throughout the past four years. The call will be hosted by Dave Archer and feature special guests throughout the night including Steve Cannon, Harry Douglas and others.

“TAPS is incredibly grateful to the Atlanta Falcons organization for the love, care and support by everyone involved including the incredible community relations team, team owner Arthur Blank, and Steve Cannon,” TAPS Vice President of Sports and Entertainment Diana Hosford told The Falcoholic. “We can’t say enough how generous, not only with the time it takes for their staff to put this together and what it costs to put this all together for 280 TAPS Families, but just the love and care that goes into all of this is really, really special. One thing that families are worried about after losing a loved one is that our loved one won’t be remembered. So the fact that the Falcons honored them once is so special, but how they still remember them years later is very meaningful for all of us.”

The 2-6 Falcons will play host to the Broncos on Sunday, and TAPS Families will be honored throughout the Salute to Service game. TAPS related elements will be included in the game, such as a Falcons player running out of the tunnel with a TAPS flag, a virtual AT&T check presentation with TAPS Founder and President Bonnie Carroll, special videos shown during the game, custom tarps featuring a special logo with all 280 fallen hero names on them and TAPS families featured virtually on the stadium’s Halo Board.

For more information on TAPS click here.