Honoring the Fallen: How Team RWB and TAPS Elevate the True Meaning of Memorial Day
From physical movement to lifelong support for surviving families, Evocati PR amplifies the missions of organizations defining remembrance.
Introduction
For many, Memorial Day represents a three-day weekend, a backyard barbecue, or the unofficial kickoff to summer. But at Evocati PR, we believe the true essence of the holiday demands a deeper focus. This day belongs to the fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to secure our freedom.
As a veteran-owned public relations firm, we dedicate our strategic communications engine to helping our clients turn remembrance into meaningful action. This year, we spotlight the extraordinary efforts of Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB) and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) as they lead national initiatives to honor America's fallen service members.
Team RWB Mobilizes the Nation Through 'Memorial Minutes'
Physical health and a shared sense of purpose sit at the center of Team RWB's mission. To mark Memorial Day 2026, the organization launched its Memorial Minutes challenge. Running from May 1 to May 25, this 25-day national fitness initiative invites Americans to log 40 minutes of intentional movement each day.
Col. (Ret.) Michael "Sully" Sullivan, Executive Director at Team RWB participants in a workout. (Source: Team RWB)
The campaign targets a collective milestone: 1.3 million total minutes logged across the country. Each minute represents an American life lost in service to the United States over our 250-year history. The layout of the challenge carries profound symbolism:
1.3 million minutes match the total lives lost since the Revolutionary War.
25 days reflect the decades of American military history, with each day honoring a different 10-year period.
40 minutes of daily movement translate to approximately one second for every service member killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
"This is personal for many of us because we all have someone to honor on Memorial Day," says Col. (Ret.) Michael "Sully" Sullivan, Executive Director of Team RWB. Sullivan notes that his participation honors his grandfather, Capt. Roy Cunningham, a U.S. Army Air Corps pilot who was killed in action in 1943. Through strategic campaign amplification, Evocati PR helps Team RWB connect with civilian and military-connected audiences alike, turning sweat and movement into active tribute.
TAPS Embraces Grieving Families in the Nation's Capital
While Team RWB moves the nation physically, TAPS provides the emotional and psychological architecture required to catch families thrust into military bereavement. Over the long holiday weekend, the organization hosts its 32nd Annual National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp in Washington, D.C.
Surrounded by national monuments, hundreds of surviving parents, spouses, children, and battle buddies gather to share their stories, celebrate the legacies of their fallen heroes, and heal together. The seminar delivers targeted support across multiple tracks:
The Adult Seminar features workshops led by national experts in grief, loss, and trauma recovery.
The Young Adults Program guides survivors aged 18 to 30 through life skills, peer connection, and well-being strategies.
The Good Grief Camp pairs grieving children and teens with military mentors, teaching healthy coping mechanisms through age-appropriate activities.
Bonnie Carroll (center) President & Founder of TAPS poses with two program participants. (Source: TAPS)
As TAPS’s Agency of Record, Evocati PR manages the strategic narrative for an organization that fulfills a lifelong promise to survivors. From sudden crisis containment—such as mobilizing rapid communications response during active combat operations—to elevating everyday storytelling, our team ensures TAPS remains the definitive national resource for military loss.
READ MORE: After the Knock on the Door: How TAPS Supports Military Families for Life
"Partnering with Evocati PR enables us to amplify our story and reach even more families who need us," says Bonnie Carroll, President and Founder of TAPS.
PR with a Purpose: Why Strategic Narrative Matters
At Evocati PR, we believe cause marketing and corporate partnerships require a seat at the table from day one. Our collaboration with organizations like Team RWB and TAPS demonstrates that public relations should look beyond mere media placements. True PR acts as a force multiplier, transforming a well-intentioned campaign into a sweeping national movement.
Whether we are generating millions of media impressions, training staff to communicate with clarity, or designing bespoke landing pages, our values-based approach ensures that underserved and military-connected communities stand at the forefront of the national conversation.
This Memorial Day, we encourage you to look beyond the long weekend. Join Team RWB in logging your movement, or learn more about how TAPS supports survivors by reading our insight on the Squared Away blog.
If your business or nonprofit wants to transition its mission into a movement, contact Evocati PR today to schedule a free discovery call.
