FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 5, 2009

WASHINGTON – A premier global defense, security and aerospace company, BAE Systems, is providing support to TAPS, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, to help the families of fallen servicemen and women. TAPS organizers say that it is not only the generous financial gift that is appreciated, but also the personal touch provided by BAE Systems employee involvement that warms the heart.

A donation provided by BAE Systems will support the publication of the TAPS magazine for a full year, and also help support TAPS programs for grieving families, such as the Good Grief Camps for kids and Survivor Seminars for spouses and other loved ones.

“BAE Systems is humbled by the service of our men and women in uniform, and by their families who also serve,” said Walt Havenstein, president of BAE Systems, Inc. “We are honored to support TAPS in its mission to meet the needs of military families surviving the loss of fallen heroes.”

In addition to its support for families of the fallen, BAE Systems has been instrumental in improving safety for frontline troops. BAE Systems designed and developed a more effective body armor vest that was chosen as the standard-issue body armor for the U.S. Army. Currently, 128 modified Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) ambulances are on the roads in Afghanistan for transporting wounded troops. Thanks to improvements made by BAE Systems engineers, these MRAPs make it safer and easier to get them to medical care.

The support provided to TAPS is not just a corporate donation, but also includes hands-on help from BAE Systems employees. Because the anniversary of the date of death is often a difficult time for surviving families, TAPS mails cards to surviving families offering comfort and help. Each month, up to 3,000 anniversary cards are sent out, and employees from BAE Systems will join forces with TAPS volunteers to prepare these messages of comfort and care.

“This personal touch is much appreciated,” noted TAPS founder and chairman, Bonnie Carroll. “We welcome the help and support offered by BAE Systems,” she said. “Their generous gift and hands-on support will enable us to fully fund our quarterly publication, provide support for our programs to help grieving families, and offer comfort and care to families during difficult times.”

“Even as U.S. military casualty figures go down in Iraq and increase in Afghanistan, the need to care for the families left behind when someone dies in service to America will continue,” said Carroll. “Traumatic loss and grief cannot be dealt with overnight. The effects can last for years as a military death re-shapes the lives of those left behind. Thanks to the support of BAE Systems, more surviving families will know that they don’t walk alone.”

About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier global defense and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 100,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems’ sales exceeded £15.7 billion (US $31.4 billion) in 2007. For more information go to www.baesystems.com.

About TAPS
TAPS is the national organization providing compassionate care for the families of America’s fallen military heroes. TAPS provides peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, seminars, case work assistance, and 24/7 crisis intervention care for all who have been affected by a death in the Armed Forces. Services are provided free of charge.

As the flagship publication of the national organization caring for the families of America’s fallen heroes, the TAPS magazine offers comfort and care four times per year to more than 25,000 people grieving the death of a loved one serving in the military. The magazine carries articles about coping with grief and loss, helping children who are struggling with the death of a parent, and helps family members know that they are not alone in their grief.

For more information go to www.taps.org or call the toll-free crisis line at 800.959.TAPS (8277).

Media Contacts
BAE Systems: Greg Caires, 703.907.8261, greg.caires@baesystems.com
TAPS: Ami Neiberger-Miller, 202.588.TAPS (8277), ami@taps.org

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