OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — On Tuesday night, the Orpheum Theater provided some relief and relaxation.
Barbra Yllescas-Borthmann is a Gold Star mother. She lost her son Robert, a captain and army ranger who served three tours.
"Robert served two in Iraq and then he went to Afghanistan and died from his severe injuries a month after," Barbra said.
This is another year families like Barbra's got a ticket to a show like Aladdin, which is on the house thanks to TAPS. That's the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. As well as Omaha Performing Arts, which is hosting the fifth annual Heroes Night.
Jamie Jordan's is a Blue Star mother. Her husband Matthew is on active duty. He's just down the road in Lincoln, but sometimes his job takes him far away--most recently to Houston assisting relief efforts after Hurricane Harvey.
"It really does take a village to have such a great support for those single-parent moments where you need someone to help when dad's not around," Jamie said.
A little gesture goes a long way.
"This is very special," Barbra said. "TAPS was the first organization that reached out to me after Robert was killed. They also offered services to my grandchildren--Robert's children."
