TAPS Songwriter Dinner: Saluting Our Fallen Heroes
On the date of the 20th anniversary of 9-11, we know that many children born since 2001 can only see the aftermath of the tragedy and the bravery of those who stepped up in its wake and the subsequent military conflicts. To those left behind after losing a loved one, the hole in their hearts is as big and real to them as the hole left by the fallen World Trade Center.
Founder Bonnie Carroll knew something had to be done to try to ease the pain after she lost her husband in a military plane crash, and she started the Tragedy Assistance Programs for Survivors (TAPS) in 1994.
Bonnie Carroll gave a poignant speech
TAPS provides an array of programs, comfort, and resources for the families of the fallen. As the world faced a global pandemic, TAPS opened their hearts and 27 years of knowledge to share resources and tools with the world. You can help, volunteer, support or read about TAPS programs at www.TAPS.org.
Here in Colorado, Bo and Lynne Cottrell have spearheaded fundraisers for TAPS for 16 years and the event is still lively and vibrant as ever. Guests got to immerse themselves in the scrumptious prime rib dinner, once again provided by the Coors Cowboy Club Chuckwagon Crew, listen to tunes by Tony David and Wildefire, peruse silent and live auction items and then were treated by performances by Nashville legends Andy Griggs, Deborah Allen, Frank Myers and Jimmy Nichols.
Nashville singer/songwriters all support each other
We can never fill that giant hole. But through camaraderie, friendship and support, we can ease the pain somewhat, and maybe smile for a little while. The TAPS motto “Love Lives On” says it all.
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- TAPS president and founder Bonnie Carroll, left, with Lisa and David Truax and Kylie and Avery
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- Longtime event coordinators Lynne and Bo Cottrell and their daughter Holly Aragon
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- Dean Singleton with his son Adam and grandson Zayden
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- Lorraine Salazar, left, and Jan Hammond
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- Tom Tarver with Miss Colorado, SPC Maura Spence-Carroll
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- Event Co-Chair Linda Cavanagh, left, with her friend Kitty
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- Volunteers F. Lopez, left, Mark Humbole, Jonathan Lopez, Ramon Luna (back row); in front: Lance Frank and Evan Holz
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- Evie and Jim Ashmore, left, with Mason Stefancic
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- Cosa and Richard Garvert
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- Kent and Carole Taylor
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- Becky and John Gaughan
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- George Hagen, left, Jim Neely and Steve Sabo
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- Lisa and Jay Fertman
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- Jeremy Hawley, left, Tonya VanWinkle, Kim York, Carolyn and John Hawley
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- Deborah Dies, left, with Arlene Johnson
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- Lots of silent auction goodies
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- Carlene and Bill Lindsay
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- Tony-Pam-Kerry: Wildefire
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- Erik Christman, Heather Sauber and Jackie Christman
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- Jeff and Rene Tomczak
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- Miles and Jan Cortez
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- Dustin Zvonek, left, with Sarah and John Kellner
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- Angela and John DellaSalle
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- Sandy Miller, left, Alexis Miller and Danielle Miller
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- Seated: Edie Marks, left, and Louise Rouse; in back: Dick and Sharon Evans
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- Lisa Fertman, left, Jake Jabs, Rene Green, Judy Huff
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- The Coors Cowboy Club led by the man himself, Pete Coors
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- Jimmy Graham, left, Vangie and Neil Pinkham, Rachel Graham
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- Diane Turner, left, Bruce Fritzsche, BJ and Kristie Carey
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- Todd and Erin Burmeister, left, with Kathleen Kaake and her brother Joseph Patton
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- William and Kathleen Chisholm
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- Hon. Ed Moss and Karen Moss
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- Gregg Klein, left, Nicole Leinbach, Cheri Notary, Cyndee Little, Barbara Bowen and Erika Klein
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- Tony David welcomes budding singer Collin Wong to the stage
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- Stephanie Seebaum, left, and Julie Dunn
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- Jenny Troxler, left, Brandi Nord, Loye Troxler
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- Faith and Glenn Pinto
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- Danette Rael, left, and Danielle Rael
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- Kristin and Don Provost
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- Host Steve Grove, left, Phil HIcks, Bill Wilbur and Kathleen Hicks
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- Ryan and Taylor Surroz
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- Ellen Graham and Stephan Tubbs
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- Seth and Kris Wintroub
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- John and Kelly Anton
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- Carol and Nathan Chambers
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- Shannon Gerondale and Michael Condon
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- The McDaniel table
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- There is still a little slice of Heaven in the middle of suburbia
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- Coors Cowboys Trevor Nichols, left, and Vern Wilson
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- Bonnie Carroll chats with Bill Wilbur
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- A beautiful sunset graced the evening
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- SPC Maura Spence-Carroll did a great job in her first year as emcee. We’re rooting for her to be Miss America.
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- The Color Guard
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- TAPS survivor Collin Wong leads the Pledge of Allegiance, as Maura Spence and Tony David look on
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- TAPS survivor, budding singer and all-round stand-up young man Collin Wong
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- Maura Spence-Carroll filled in with some jokes
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- Lynne and Bo Cottrell on stage with event Chairs Linda Cavanagh and Kevin Kreymborg
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- Rick Wright gets his Volunteer of the Year award
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- Bo and Lynne Cottrell with Volunteers of the Year George Dempsey, second from left, and Rick Wright, far right
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- Auction diva Shelly St John
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- Enthusiastic Heads or Tales participants
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- Still in the game
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- Brianna Newman and Louise Rouse were the last ones standing
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- ….and the Heads or Tails winner is Louise Rouse
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- TAPS survivors on stage with Bonnie Carroll
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- TAPS survivors
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- Bonnie Carroll gave a poignant speech
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- Bonnie Carroll talks about TAPS programs and history
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- TAPS mentor Dave Truax
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- Bonnie hugs Collin
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- Maura Spence and Shelly St John kick off the live auction
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- Singer/songwriter Jimmy Nichols
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- Jimmy Nichols
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- Singer/songwriter Frank Myers
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- Frank Myers takes the stage
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- Frank Myers waves to the crowd
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- Deborah Allen takes the stage
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- Singer/songwriter Deborah Allen
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- Singer/songwriter Andy Griggs
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- Andy Griggs on stage
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- Nashville singer songwriters always hit it out of the park at TAPS evens
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- Nashville singer/songwriters all support each other
