Storm the Hill 2017

Kathleen (Alexandria, VA) is the Director, Survivor Advocacy for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). In that role, she works with organizations, both government and non-government, whose work impacts the quality of life of military survivors. She analyzes federal and state policy and legislation as it pertains to benefits for surviving families and advocates for policies and legislation which promote the well-being of surviving families.

Mrs. Moakler comes to TAPS after almost 20 years at the National Military Family Association where she most recently served as Government Relations Director. Mrs. Moakler was active the area of surviving family issues, serving as co-chair of the Survivor Program Committee for the Military Coalition, sitting on the DoD/VA Survivors Forum, and testifying numerous times before the House and Senate Armed Services Committees concerning surviving families. She also represented military families on the Congressionally-mandated Department of Defense Military Family Readiness Council.

An Army spouse, active and retired, for over 40 years, Mrs. Moakler has served in various volunteer leadership positions in civilian and military community organizations in that time. She believes that communication is paramount in the efficient delivery of services and the fostering of a rich community life for military families. A New York native, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the State University of New York at Albany. Mrs. Moakler has been awarded the Army Commander’s Award for Public Service and the President’s Volunteer Service Award and most recently, the 2015 Award of Excellence from Gold Star Wives of America.

Mrs. Moakler is also a military mom and grandmother. Her daughter Megan is an Army nurse, son Matthew is an Army lieutenant colonel. Her oldest son Martin is the social media outreach director for Hulu.com. Her two grandchildren, Jack and Maeve, represent the next generation of military kids in the Moakler family. Mrs. Moakler and her husband, Colonel Martin W. Moakler Jr. USA (retired), reside in Alexandria, Virginia.

TAPS is the national non-profit Veterans Service Organization providing comfort, care and resources to all those grieving the loss of a loved one who died while serving in the Armed Forces. www.taps.org