Wheels Up supports TAPS assistance of military families

To recognize those who gave their lives for our freedom, Wheels Up flew two families of fallen heroes to Washington D.C. this past weekend

Wheels Up provided a private flight yesterday for two families of fallen heroes to Washington, DC for Memorial Day Weekend in partnership with TAPS, a nonprofit that provides comfort and resources to those grieving the death of a military loved one. It’s part of the private jet provider’s extensive philanthropic efforts.

Families flew from Teterboro, NJ to Dulles International Airport in DC in the custom camo-painted King Air 350i aircraft that Wheels Up launched in partnership with TAPS in 2019, which honors those in the military who bravely served our country.

The Wheels Up Camouflage Plane has a custom livery that was created and painted by Textron Aviation Inc. and honors those in the military who bravely served and continue to serve our country, while benefiting the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), a non-profit organization that offers compassionate care to those grieving the loss of a military loved one.

Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) Mentor SFC Nicole McMinnaminand Kai Gronenthal, son of U.S. Army Major Victor Trouvé Gronenthal, embracing among other surviving families of fallen heroes as they land at Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC on Thursday, May 27th to attend TAPs Annual Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp after flying on the Wheels Up custom camo-painted King Air 350i aircraft in honor of TAPS.

Wheels Up will be donating to TAPS, and all pilots flying Wheels Up planes will wear camouflage pins throughout November in support of the campaign.

“We created the Wheels Up Cares program to showcase our support of important causes by leveraging our fleet of aircraft,” said Kenny Dichter, Founder and CEO of Wheels Up. “The four planes in the program are flying symbols of these charities’ incredible missions and we are proud to align with TAPS for our latest addition to the fleet.”

Since 1994, TAPS has provided comfort and hope through a national peer support network and connection to grief resources, all at no cost to surviving families and loved ones. TAPS has assisted more than 90,000 loved ones grieving the death of a military hero and continues to receive an average of 19 new survivors every day.

Wheels Up, in partnership with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), provided a private flight for two families of fallen heroes ahead of Memorial Day Weekend in their custom camo-painted King Air 350i aircraft from Teterboro, NJ to Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC on Thursday, May 27th to attend TAPs Annual Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp. From left to right: COO of Wheels Up Lt Gen Thomas Bergeson, Dominic D’Ambra IV, Madelyn Perla-D’Ambra, Kai Gronenthal, Erika Gronenthal, Finn Gronenthal, Col Pam Bergeson.

“Wheels Up and Textron truly represent what is best about America – they recognize freedom is not free, honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and ensure the families of our fallen heroes will be taken care of. We are forever grateful for their steadfast support,” said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS Founder and President and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient.

Along with the Camouflage Plane and TAPS, Wheels Up Cares recognizes American Heart Month in February with its Red Plane in support of the American Heart Association and Simon’s Heart, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in September with its Teal Plane in support of the Janet Burros Memorial Foundation, and Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October with its Pink Plane representing the company’s ongoing commitment to the Dubin Breast Center of The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai in New York City.