Latest news with #TAPS
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Crises call for clear messages
TAPS started going dry for almost 300,000 people soon after a flood knocked out six pumps at a water treatment plant in Kota Tinggi, Johor, on May 20. This affected households and businesses in Johor Baru and Iskandar Puteri, where some endured almost four days without water. The sudden disruption also resulted in countless losses for businesses and factories as major industrial parks were hit too. People also began panic-buying bottled mineral water, fearing a prolonged disruption. My home in Taman Desa Tebrau, Johor Baru, was affected in the early morning of May 21. And like many others caught unaware, I thought it would just be a minor disruption. Subsequently, people in various places reported that they did not have water. There was also a text message circulating about the disruption affecting many places. I only realised the extent of the disruption after I made some calls to water concessionaire Ranhill-SAJ and reported about this in The Star. To be fair, Ranhill-SAJ wrote a short post on their social media platform to alert consumers about the disruption. However, many upset consumers contacted local press offices and took to social media to express frustration over being unable to get through to Ranhill-SAJ's hotline or only receiving inadequate answers from call centre staff, especially regarding when water tankers would arrive in their housing areas and when the water supply would be restored. Realising the severity of the issue, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi spoke about the disruption on May 22 at the ongoing Johor state assembly and announced that a crisis meeting was being held with the water concessionaire. On May 26, Onn Hafiz made a public apology to Johoreans at the assembly sitting and announced that those affected by the water disruption would receive a 15% rebate on their water bills this month. Residents lining up to get water from a tanker near Perling market in Johor Baru during the recent unscheduled disruption. — Filepic Since the crisis meeting, the authorities, especially the water concessionaire, have been providing regular updates about the progress of water treatment plant repairs, tanker schedules and how they are dealing with the crisis. They explained that the disruption was due to a leak in the raw water pipe network at the water treatment plant in Sungai Johor. They also acknowledged the inconvenience faced by consumers due to the disruption and thanked them for their patience and cooperation. The authorities are also carrying out a detailed investigation into its cause and looking at all aspects to avoid a recurrence. This sudden water cut showed everyone the importance of having proper crisis management during a major incident. It is vital to keep consumers informed and to provide timely updates not just via social media, but also through mainstream media organisations, be it newspapers, television or radio, so that these outlets can disseminate information to their audiences. The water concessionaire should also invest in a system for alerts about scheduled water cuts or sudden disruptions to be sent directly to the account holders' mobile phones via SMS, WhatsApp or even email. I am sure Ranhill-SAJ, which has all the data on account holders statewide, will be able to target their messaging to only those in affected areas. They should also consider conducting regular crisis exercises to ensure that everyone, especially those at the call centres, can provide accurate information during an emergency. I have experienced being without water for long periods during the 1991 and 1992 water crisis in Melaka, when the state's Durian Tunggal dam dried up. I remember waking up in the wee hours of the morning to wait for water tankers to arrive, as there were no smartphones or comprehensive messaging services to provide updates on tanker schedules. I also remember helping elderly folk carry pails of water to their units on the fourth floor of their walk-up apartments. It is always important for those in essential services such as water, electricity and telecommunications to update their crisis management manuals regularly to ensure preparedness. These agencies should use technology to disseminate information because during a crisis, fake news or little information will cause frustration, confusion, panic and chaos.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hundreds attend Memorial Day parades across the Southern Tier
ENDICOTT, NY (WIVT/WBGH) – The largest post-COVID Memorial Day crowd in Endicott lined Washington Ave today to honor our nation's veterans. Endicott held its annual Memorial Day parade on Washington Ave today, prior to hosting a ceremony at the Endicott War Memorial. The parade featured local veterans' groups, the Union-Endicott High School marching band, emergency services, civic organizations, dignitaries, and a host of other community participants. After the precession, spectators gathered for a memorial service to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. Chaplain Dennis Nota explains the importance of observing the federal holiday. 'Today, we stand to remember the most honorable amongst us, and we must continue to carry the burden of their sacrifice. Lest we lose sight of what true freedom is. Today is for remembering, to stand in honor of them, walk in their path of duty, remember the cost, and hold in your heart the cost of freedom,' said Chaplain Nota during his benediction. The ceremony included a reading of the Gettysburg Address, a performance of Amazing Grace by the Edward P. Maloney Memorial Pipe Band, and the playing of TAPS by a Marine. Anny Hogan Camp, the Post Commander for VFW Post 1449, announced that the out-of-commission mailbox at the memorial is finding new use as a U.S. flag retirement box. In addition to the holiday, the day marks the opening of the Villages carousel and pool at George W. Johnson Memorial Park. Two hours later, the City of Binghamton hosted its Memorial Day Parade. The procession kicked off at the American Legion Post 80 on Main Street and continued to the Broome Country Courthouse. A plethora of groups participated today, including the Binghamton Police and Fire Department, New York State Police, Broome County Sheriff's office, the Rumble Ponies, the Triple Cities Choppers, and perhaps the longest and flashiest of the day, the Twin Tiers Mustang Club. Broome County Clerk Joeseph Mihalko emceed the event, which included providing commentary and introducing the organizations to spectators. As the story goes, Memorial Day was first observed in Waterloo, New York, in 1866. It was originally known as 'Decoration Day.' The holiday was created to honor those who gave their lives in the Civil War. Binghamton adopted the tradition three years later, and in the years following, New York State was the first in the nation to make it a holiday in 1874. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Epoch Times
26-05-2025
- General
- Epoch Times
A Memorial Day Wreath Brings Military Families Together to Heal Through Their Grief
It's a powerful feeling to know you're needed—especially when you're needed by a grieving child. Amanda Carnes tenderly held onto the young boy as he cried for his military father who had died from suicide. Carnes wanted to give him the same kind of love and care that she would give to her own daughter during times of need. She held him tightly—and it meant the world to him. She is a volunteer for Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), an organization dedicated to the bereaved who have lost a loved one in the military. As a Marine Corps officer who has witnessed the loss of colleagues and the impact that loss has had on their families, Carnes knows the importance of connecting with these military families and remembering their sacrifices. She feels blessed to be part of their grief journey toward finding healing and peace. 'It may not seem like you're making a difference at first, but you do,' she said. 'You see them transition through … it and you're there with them in their moments.' Carnes had learned about TAPS's mission early in her Marine Corps career. In 2013, the native Texan decided to volunteer as a 'military mentor' for the organization, offering emotional support to families with a loved one in the military who has passed away. She also acts as a chaperone for TAPS's annual Memorial Day weekend camp for children who have lost their military parents—which is where she met the young boy. Hand-drawn messages created for the TAPS Honor Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Memorial Day Weekend 2023. Courtesy of TAPS Children and teens from ages 5 to 18 are divided into small peer groups where they participate in recreational activities, as well as healing exercises to verbally express their grief, gain new coping skills, and connect with others who have experienced loss too. At the same time, their parents and guardians attend their own sessions on-site at what's called the Annual National Military Survivor Seminar, to better navigate their own grief journeys through counseling and workshops. Carnes said not all children are in places of grief, so you meet them where they are, to be a positive, uplifting presence in their lives. 'You're there to be a big brother or sister to them. To hear these stories of resilience is incredible. It … keeps you coming back even if you don't have the answers.' The activities reach a crescendo with the creation of the annual TAPS Honor Wreath that is presented at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day. Rain or shine, without fail for the past 30 years, TAPS coordinates a special wreath-laying ceremony for hundreds of families who have experienced the loss of a loved one who served in the United States Armed Forces. During Memorial Day weekend, each participant at TAPS's camp event draws a silhouette of their hand and crafts a message in remembrance of their loved one. Courtesy of TAPS The wreath is created from every child who attends the weekend camp. They scribble, write, and draw heartfelt handwritten messages on a paper silhouette of their own hand. Hundreds of silhouettes are then assembled together by dedicated volunteers. This remains the weekend's most touching representation of love, gratitude, and thanksgiving. Carnes said one of the greatest honors of her life was when she was tapped to carry and lay the TAPS Honor Wreath in 2023. That morning, she wore the Marine Corps 'dress blues' uniform with medals, ribbons, and badges and arrived by bus to the Arlington cemetery. According to Carnes, the creation almost didn't make it through security due to its large size. She was an active duty Marine at the time; she feels she was put in the right place at the right time, as it was her last act on active duty. 'It felt so surreal that the chapter I was closing signified everything I believe in: servant leadership, giving back to others, and standing up for those who served and did not die in vain.' This article was originally published in American Essence magazine.
Fox News
26-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
Remembering America's Fallen & The Families That Grieve Them
For many Americans, Memorial Day holds multiple meanings–the arrival of summer and its seasonal delights can sometimes overshadow its true significance, yet ceremonies and parades across the nation honor our nation's fallen heroes. For families of those fallen, Memorial Day is not contained to just one day. Bonnie Carroll is a retired Air Force Reserve Major and founder of the TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), and she joins the Rundown to share how her organization supports grieving military families year-round. This Memorial Day, we commemorate eighty years since the end of World War II and remember the sacrifices made for freedom. Robert Edsel, author of Remember Us: American Sacrifice, Dutch Freedom, and Forever Promise Forged in World War Two, joins to discuss his new book and what the holiday means for Americans. Plus, commentary from retired Navy SEAL and host of FOX Nation's, 'The Unsung of Arlington,' Mike Sarraille. Photo Credit: AP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
2nd Annual Tips for Taps Event: A Perfect Mix of Classic Cars, Motorcycles, and Dogs
EAST PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A local bar and grill recently hosted an event that brought together car enthusiasts and dog lovers alike for a good cause. Meadow's Avenue Tap in East Peoria held its 2nd Annual Tips for Taps event Saturday, combining the thrill of classic cars, motorcycles, and live music with a heartwarming mission to support animal welfare. Music filled the air, adding to the lively atmosphere as patrons enjoyed the show. But the true star of the event was the cause behind it all: raising funds for the Tazewell Animal Protective Society No-Kill Animal Shelter. The event featured a stunning display of classic cars, courtesy of Rusty Rockers Performance Car Club, alongside a few sleek motorcycles. Bryce Shields, secretary of the Rusty Rockers Performance Car Club, explained the group's motivation for getting involved. 'We wanted to do something for TAPS,' said Shields. 'There are other events already supporting TAPS, but when they approached us, we jumped at the chance. Absolutely, we wanted to help.' All the tips collected during the event went directly toward supporting TAPS, helping them continue their important work in rescuing and rehoming animals in need. In addition to the cars and music, the event also featured adoptable dogs, giving attendees the opportunity to meet furry friends looking for their forever homes. The combination of cool cars and adorable pups made for a memorable day of community support, entertainment, and the chance to make a real difference in the lives of animals. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
