Courage. It is a word synonymous with professional athletes and used freely to describe plays, effort and even officials’ calls. “He gave a courageous effort right there,” or “it takes a lot of courage to make that kind of pass in this situation,” are clichés echoed by coaches, broadcasters and fans game after game and year after year.



The Washington Capitals are doing their best to remind everyone what true courage is, but they need your help. Through Courage Caps, presented by Telos Corporation, the Capitals will raise funds to help the truly courageous families of men and women who died while serving our country.



This season the Capitals will sell Courage Caps with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), a nonprofit organization that helps families of the fallen. TAPS provides comfort and care for anyone who has suffered the loss of a military loved one.



Starting Jan. 27, Courage Caps and T-shirts will be sold for $20 online at WashingtonCaps.com, at the Washington Capitals Team Store at Kettler Capitals Iceplex and at the Team Store and stands throughout Verizon Center during Capitals home games. There will also be a limited number of autographed Courage Caps and T-shirts available for sale at WashingtonCaps.com and at the MSE Foundation table located behind section 104 on the main concourse at Verizon Center. For $50, fans can purchase a Courage Cap or T-shirt signed by Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson, T.J. Oshie, Alex Ovechkin or Tom Wilson; for $40, fans can purchase a Courage Cap or T-shirt signed by any other individual Capitals player.



The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors is the national organization providing compassionate care for the families of America’s fallen military heroes and has offered support to more than 50,000 surviving family members of our fallen military and their caregivers since 1994. TAPS provides peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, grief seminars and retreats for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, case work assistance, connections to community-based care, online and in-person support groups and a 24/7 resource and information helpline for all who have been affected by a death in the Armed Forces.



You too can show your support for the courageous efforts of TAPS and join the Capitals and Telos to help make a difference. All it takes is one Courage Cap or T-shirt; purchase yours today.