Founders: Who Are They?

On February 12, 2004, Deborah Tainsh and her husband, David, USMC Sgt Major (ret), a Vietnam and 1st Gulf War Veteran, received the knock against their door that every family prays they’ll never have to endure.

 Their son, USA Sgt Patrick Tainsh, David’s only child and namesake, was KIA 8 hours before outside Baghdad International Airport, Iraq.

After a year and a half with no support system to help in their journey of coping with the death of a child in war, they soon learned about the one and only organization in D.C. specific to military families and grief. After meeting other parents and family members of those who had died while serving our country in war or other manner of death, Deb and Dave discovered a path to traverse their “new norm”. After becoming trained grief peer mentors in 2005, Deb & Dave found purpose in the wake of their own grief by making themselves available to other parents, family members, and friends across the country who grieved the same as they.

While traversing their journey, Deb authored two award winning books: Heart of a Hawk: One family’s sacrifice & journey toward healing and Surviving the Folded Flag: Parents of War Share Stories of Coping Courage & Faith, published numerous grief articles, and articles for military.com in support of our military. They have mentored hundreds of other parents from coast to coast and carried messages across the country in support of America’s Blue (those serving) and Gold Star (those grieving) families.

Deb & Dave have also taken uplifting messages to wounded warriors at various military bases in efforts to help them release “survivors guilt” due to the loss of a battlefield buddy and provide free copies of Deb’s book: Dear Warrior & Hero

The Tainshs’ have been recognized by Commanding Generals, veterans organizations, the AUSA, and President George W. Bush for their work with and on behalf of military families and those serving.