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BEHIND THE STRIPES

Meredith Fain & Tyson Moore-Fain

By Atlanta United FC

July 4^th, 2022

Home isn’t always defined by a place, sometimes it’s defined by the people and community you surround yourself with. This can be especially true for military families who constantly travel from place to place or watch their loved ones do the same. When Meredith Fain met United States Army Reserve Sergeant First Class Walter Antonio Moore, he was active duty with the Army and traveled often for work. After meeting and starting their family, Fain would travel to see him, creating a home in the many places he was stationed. But for Fain, home isn’t a place it’s a feeling.

“Home to me is safety and feeling secure within yourself, and having your family around you,” Meredith Fain said. “Where I can text my son and say, ‘Hey, can you come in my room and give me a hug?’ It’s knowing that he's right next door to me in the same house., that to me is safety and love, and having endless amounts of support.”

BEHIND THE STRIPES

Fain and United States Army Reserve Sergeant First Class Walter Antonio Moore had a beautiful son named Tyson Moore-Fain. Now, Moore-Fain is a kind 15-year-old soon to be sophomore in high school. Moore-Fain enjoys sports, school and has an incredibly close relationship with his mother. He went through a tough time after losing his father. For any child, the absence of a parent can be quite difficult to deal with, especially at a young age.

In that difficult moment, Fain did what any mother would do, and she sought help. One night Fain turned to the internet searching for answers and that is where she found the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, known as TAPS. This program helps families of fallen military members providing them with 24/7 support through a peer network and grief resources. When Fain reached out, she had no idea what this journey would look like, but TAPS stepped in and helped provide her with resources she could use to better help her son.

“I found TAPS, a couple of years ago,” Fain shared. “I was on the internet searching for resources for Tyson because he was going through depression. I found TAPS and I reached out to them. I can call them, and someone always answers the phone. If they can't get me in touch with the person that I need to speak with, they'll call me back right away.”

BEHIND THE STRIPES

BEHIND THE STRIPES

Through TAPS, Moore-Fain has found an outlet and support system. Moore-Fain described the tough moments as isolating but after getting involved with the program, Moore-Fain has been able to process his grief and carry that weight with his TAPS support system.

“It's better to seek help if you have lost a loved one or someone very close to you,” Moore-Fain shared. “You can connect with other people who have gone through what you've gone through. It's never too late to get help or talk to someone because TAPS is always right there. You can text, call or send them an email and they'll always be there for you.”

BEHIND THE STRIPES

The past several seasons, Atlanta United has partnered with TAPS to provide support for surviving families through the Mission: TAPS platform. Moore-Fain has participated in the Mission: TAPS programming, which includes training ground visits, match days and playing one-on-one with defender Alex DeJohn who wore a kit with Sergeant First Class Walter Antonio Moore name on the back. These events and programs have been an incredible resource for participants of the TAPS program, helping provide life-long memories.

“The highlight was when we went into the locker room and Alex DeJohn came into the locker room wearing my dad's name.” Moore-Fain shared. “It was very exciting for me to see and then the jersey by his locker. It was really heartwarming.”

The Moore-Fain family is one of many families going through this situation and TAPS has been an incredible resource for many families. Fain and Moore-Fain have seen the benefits of having a community behind them and want to encourage others to seek that help as well.

“I would say run, don't walk, to TAPS,” Fain said. “No one should suffer in silence. I think that a lot of families struggle, and they just keep saying ‘we’ll get through this’. But no one can get through this alone. It takes a village to raise a child, especially when he has lost his father. I wouldn't wish that upon anyone, but TAPS has been wonderful for us. I would recommend them to anyone.”

BEHIND THE STRIPES

BEHIND THE STRIPES

BEHIND THE STRIPES

BEHIND THE STRIPES

If you are grieving a loss of a fallen service member or know someone who can use the support of TAPS, the TAPS 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline is always available toll-free with loving support and resources at 800-959-TAPS (8277). If you wish to find out more on the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, please visit TAPS.org.

Footnotes

Story by Samantha Garcia / Photos by Dakota Williams

FootNotes

Story by Samantha Garcia / Photos by Dakota Williams

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