My Nonprofit Reviews

Our family was devastated when my husband, Sgt. Richard Stumpf, a 24 year old Gulf War Veteran and active duty Drill Instructor, died by suicide on October 31, 1994 at MCRD Parris Island, SC. To make things more tragic, we were expecting our first child within a couple of days. On the morning of his funeral, I was rushed to the hospital where I I gave birth to our son. The picture I chose to share is of our only "family portrait" taken during my pregnancy. When Rich died, we all felt alone, unsure and unable to comprehended how to proceed, and socially isolated due to how suicides were handled with active duty military during that era. Before the days of google, smart phones, social media, and technology, I had no idea where to go, but I knew I needed support. I knew I needed to connect to people like me who could understand; I knew I needed the support from my military families; I knew I couldn't do this alone. I knew what I needed , but just couldn't find it at the time. After years of searching, my path finally crossed with TAPS and I knew I was at home- with my people and fellow families of the fallen. TAPS is everything that I knew I needed back in 1994 and offers comprehensive services, resources, and programs to all families members, of all causes of death and is one of the leaders in the field of military suicide prevention. Families today do not have to go through this alone and have a place to honor the life which was lived, where they can "Remember The Love, Celebrate The Life, and Share The Journey ".