NEWS

The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) offers compassionate care to all those grieving the death of a loved one serving in the Armed Forces. Since 1994, TAPS has provided comfort and hope 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through a national peer support network and connection to grief resources, all at no cost to surviving families and loved ones. On November 1, 2013, teams4taps was launched - an initiative to create meaningful opportunities for families of the fallen to engage with the teams they cheered for with their fallen hero. Former official Bob Delaney who is the current NBA Vice President of Referee Development and Performance, introduced USPA Umpires, LLC to TAPS. Last spring, after an umpire meeting with 25 USPA professional umpires at the Lake Worth, Florida, offices, Delaney explained that the NBA along with many other sport associations bring a TAPS family to a sports event. The family is introduced to the officials and then watches the game.

Umpires LLC hosted the Agami family at the March 19, USPA Gold Cup® game. Beth, Itzhak and Shaina Agami are the surviving family of SPC Daniel Agami who was killed in action on June 21, 2007. "I came from a military family, so I’m am very passionate for the opportunity to give back in any way,” said Umpire Manager Maggie Mitchell. “On behalf of USPA Umpires, LLC it was a privilege to work with the TAPS organization and bring the Agami family, the loved ones of a fallen American hero, to their very first polo match."

To learn more about TAPS, please visit their website at www.taps.org