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Good Grief Camp for Memorial Day

Posted: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:25 AM
Filed Under:

By John Rutherford, Producer, NBC News, Washington

ARLINGTON, Va. – While America was enjoying the Memorial Day weekend, 15-year-old Megan Conley was learning how to cope with the death of her step-father, Army Sgt. 1st Class James Stoddard Jr., who was killed three years ago in Afghanistan.

Image: Megan Conley
Courtesy TAPS
Megan Conley sends up a balloon that reads "I miss you" to her step-father.

Megan spent the weekend at the Good Grief Camp, a unique camp created 14 years ago for families trying to deal with the loss of a loved one in the military.

"I didn't want to come because I just thought it would be really boring and they'd just sit around and talk in a big circle," said Megan, a 10th grader from Crofton, Md. "I mean, they do, but only once, and you get to play and have activities and you go places and it's really fun."

The 300 children at the camp attended concerts and parades, visited Arlington National Cemetery and other memorial sites, and released balloons heavenward to their lost parent. Megan's balloon read simply, "I miss you."

But the most important thing they did was spend three days with other kids who were going through the same problems as they were.

"I made a lot of new friends, and it's good to have a lot of people who understand you because when you're at home, people say they understand, but you don't know if they really do," said Megan. "It's really a good experience. I'm coming next year."

So is her 3-year-old sister, Makenzie, and 5-year-old brother, James.

"My little brother is crazy about camp," said Megan. "If it doesn't start until like 8, he wakes up at like 6 o'clock and jumps in the bed and tries to get everyone up to go because he's so excited to go. And my little sister likes it a lot, too."

Three happy campers, trying to cope with life’s adversities.

Click here for more information on the Good Grief Camp and its sponsor, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, or TAPS. 

John Rutherford is an NBC News Producer based out of the Washington, D.C.bureau and is a decorated Vietnam veteran. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Comments

This is my grand-daughter and My Son that she is talking about. He was a great Father to Megan and Jay and Makenzie.It is so sad that he will not see them grow up and Makenzie has no memory of him. These children are missing so much by not having their Dad.
Just prior to my son dying his father and paternal grand mother passed. We had three deaths in 15 months. We all have been through alot and I hope the kids found some help in their every day struggles with out him. I think it helped them to see that they are not alone in this. I miss my son every minute of every day just like his father. I spent Memorial Day going to cemetarys. Thanks for publishing Megan's comments. Mrs. Kathleen Stoddard

Kathleen Stoddard, Crofton, Md. (Sent Tuesday, May 27, 2008 5:06 PM)

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Dina Buagas Gesulga (Sent Tuesday, May 27, 2008 10:01 PM)

Kathleen, my condolences for the loss of your precious son.  I hope that we see you at TAPS next year. I am a volunteer at TAPS and can't begin to tell you how much you can gain from going there and being with other parents and seeing the good that the Good Grief Camp does for your grandchildren.

Maureen Hall, San Diego, CA (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 3:12 PM)

My thoughts are with you, Mrs. Stoddard, and your son's extended family. Amazing service persons, they all are, for going to protect our freedom and showing us that they care about their country. May God comfort you all.

A Reader, Portland, Ore (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 3:23 PM)

My heart goes out to the families of all of those who risk and give their lives so that my family can sleep peacefully at night.  Thank you all.  Kathleen, you and your family will be added to my prayers tonight.  When my husband died and my children were very young, I made a "Daddy Memory Box" that contained his driver's license, pictures, patches from his Scouting days, etc. that I just left out where the kids could get to it whenever they wanted.  It helped alot.  

Jo Griffith, Memphis, TN (Sent Wednesday, May 28, 2008 5:56 PM)

I am a mentor for the camp that is mentioned here. For anyone that can be a part of it, I would advise that you do.  These kids are great and they need the shoulders to lean on.  We had an awesome time this year.  I am active duty Air Force and I will always be a part of this program for as long as I can.

CEV, Arlington VA (Sent Thursday, May 29, 2008 10:12 AM)

Wow!  What a wonderful opportunity for children of our lost and brave service members to come together and remember their loved ones.  It's great that they have peers with whom they can relate.  It breaks my heart too.  But if it happened to me overseas somewhere its good to know that my daughter would have a network.

LT B, Ft. Bliss, TX (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:36 PM)

I have no one who I have lost in war.  I do continually thank God for all the soldiers who have and are fighting to protect my freedom.  I know freedom is not "free".  It has taken much money and lives to live free.  I pray for all of you who have lost loved ones that you may have comfort.  In Christ's precious Name,  Elaine D.

Elaine Dvorak Alma, MI (Sent Thursday, June 05, 2008 12:07 AM)

My daughter attended this camp as well. We lost my husband/ her father a year ago in Afghanistan on fathers day of all days and I agree this camp is wonderful for the kids. They have mentors for the kids and the kids enjoy being around someone like themselves. Way to go TAPS!

Jen Henderson, Fort Lewis, Wa (Sent Thursday, June 05, 2008 3:29 PM)

God bless all of our brave soldiers and their families. May you find strength to deal with your losses and thank you to everyone reaching out to these wonderful people.

Kimberly Relford (Sent Friday, June 06, 2008 3:21 PM)

Thank you for this excellent service for grieving families. My 19 year old son will be readying to go to Iraq in a few months and I pray to God that we don't need to make use of this service, but I feel very comforted knowing that there are people who realize and act upon the need of families to heal and give them a chance to realize that their loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice are recognized and not forgotten. The families make the ultimate sacrifice as well. God bless all of them and have them come home safely!

Patty Zito Leesburg, VA (Sent Monday, June 16, 2008 8:59 AM)

Thamk you and God bless.  I pray for our military and for the country we all love.  For the first time in my seveny-eight years I am praying that we elect the right people to lead us because I do not trust one.

Lorraine Taube Brockwaqy Township, Michigan (Sent Wednesday, July 02, 2008 4:16 PM)



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