The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors will once again be part of Wednesday’s inaugural festival.
The Biden Inauguration Committee announced participants in the virtual “Parade Across America” for the inauguration day. Two groups in the DC area were selected to participate in the parade, including the Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors, or TAPS, in Arlington, Virginia.
“We are so proud to be included in the inaugural address, including the inaugural parade,” said TAPS founder and president Bonnie Carroll.
The organization is impartial and serves as a safe space for distressed military families. And this is not the first time TAPS has participated in an inaugural parade; it has done so for every inauguration for the past thirty years.
“We welcome our new Commander – in – Chief, we stand with our army and we remember everyone who served and died for this flag we pay tribute to,” Carroll said.
Because of the pandemic, the group will not move up Pennsylvania Avenue. Instead, it recorded a video that would be played during the virtual march.
The family participates in the video of Navy Captain David. S. Wilson of DC, who died of a heart attack in 2014. Wilson’s widow, Sara Wilson, said she had the honor of representing an organization that helped her and her family through the difficult time that followed her husband’s death.
Sara Wilson said she was also moved that President-elect Joe Biden and his inauguration team decided to honor the families of fallen members.
“The fact that our loss means something, that the president and his team acknowledge that it means something, and that America recognizes that our loss is not in vain,” Sara Wilson said.
She and her two children, 13-year-old Christina and 9-year-old Kate, will appear in the video.
“It felt very shocking, but very exciting,” Kate Wilson said, recalling her reaction to the news that she appeared in the video.
Sara Wilson said she and her family will watch their appearance from home and possibly share a toast with neighbors when it arrives.
“We bought some chocolates with Biden and Harris on them, so we’ll drink chocolate,” Sara Wilson said.
The Drumline of Howard University was also selected to participate and kick off the parade from the DC environment. The HBCU is the alma mater of Kamala Harris, vice president.
The Howard musicians and the drum line of the University of Delaware, which is Biden’s alma mater, will be part of the Presidential Escort in DC
The Presidential Accompaniment will take place after Biden and Harris visit Arlington National Cemetery. Every branch of the Army is also expected to be in the escort, including the U.S. Army Orchestra, a joint guard of honor, and the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard and Fife and Drum Corps of the 3rd U.S. Infantry, also known as “The Ou Garde. ”
The Biden Inauguration Committee said the parade will include performances representing all 56 U.S. states and territories, and will be presented by actor and director Tony Goldwyn. Jon Stewart, New Radicals and Andra Day are also expected to participate. See a full list here.