Return of Run for the Fallen

RETURN OF

run for the fallen

BY SURVIVOR OUTREACH SERVICES (SOS)

In 2007, the Army initiated the Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) program to help eligible Survivors, who lost their loved ones while on Active-Duty, with social and emotional support as well as financial counseling. The SOS mission is to advocate on behalf of all Families who have suffered the loss of their Active-Duty service member and to educate the community about the SOS program. Fort Bliss SOS is currently providing services to the Families of more than 225 fallen service members. Here at Fort Bliss, SOS has continued to deliver on the Army’s commitment to Families of the Fallen by embracing and reassuring Survivors that they are continuously linked to the Army Family for as long as they desire.

You might wonder, “What services are provided to our Gold Star Survivors?”

The services provided but not limited to are; monthly Grief Support Group, education briefs which include financial, Tricare, employment and Survivor benefits, holiday events, Day of Remembrance, Gold Star Spouses Day, Gold Star Mothers and Families Day, Survivor access cards, Survivor vehicle decals, quarterly newsletters, resource library, weekly updates on Facebook, briefings and information to the Fort Bliss and El Paso Communities and assistance with information and referring them to agencies to assist with their specific needs. The program is always looking for new ways to honor the Fallen and their Families. At the suggestion of one of the Gold Star dads, Fort Bliss started the annual Run for the Fallen on April 5, 2015. This event is a noncompetitive run and walk that honors Fort Bliss’ service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice. It has brought Fort Bliss, El Paso and New Mexico communities together to support Gold Star Families and has continued throughout the years. This year, the annual Fort Bliss Run for the Fallen will be held July 30 at the Field of Honor, located at the corner of Cassidy and Sheridan Road. The event will begin with a remembrance ceremony at 8 a.m., which will include the names being read by Gold Star Families followed by the official song of remembrance, “Taps.” Everyone will be asked to move to the start location, to commence the run and walk at 8:30 a.m. The Army Community Service (ACS), Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) program’s solemn purpose is to honor the memories of those we have lost and provide love and support for the families they left behind. For more information, SCAN THE call Survivor Outreach Services at 915-568-5970 QR CODE or follow on Facebook by scanning the QR code.