Yellow Ribbon Creates Weekend to Remember

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. James Bishop
  • 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs, Chief
WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. --  Sun fell on the palm trees in La Jolla, Calif., as nearly 350 reservists and family members attended a recent Yellow Ribbon event.

Reservists returning from or preparing to go on a deployment, along with their families, can attend regional events and stay at a classy hotel where they hear presenters talk about the benefits they've earned, have an opportunity to visit information tables, and share quality family time.

"We live so far away, it's a great way to let my wife see the military culture and see what support structure is available," said MSgt. Joe Gluckert, who attended a YR event in Orlando, Fla.

Why go? Here are seven reasons.

1. Great locations. Previous YR events were held in Orlando, San Diego, and other prime locations.

2. It's free. As in no-kidding, free. Uncle Sam flies the service member, spouse, kids, parents, or significant other to the location. The service member gets per diem; family or friends on invitational orders are reimbursed for meals.

3. You get great info. For example, did you know there's a website that offers free, live tutoring for classes for military and dependents? People who attended found out about that, got help with personal finance planning, job info and much more.

4. You enjoy free child care from experienced providers during the seminars.

5. It's an opportunity to get away.

6. You hear nationally recognized motivational speakers. At the La Jolla YR, the featured speaker was Elaine Dumler, author of The Road Home: Smoothing the Transition Back from Deployment.

7. You get to go three times: once within six months before a deployment and twice afterwards.

Anyone deployed away from home for more than 90 days is eligible. "Away from home" could mean you were activated in place at Westover and separated from your family outside the commuting area.

The events are sponsored by the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, which was established by The National Defense Authorization Act of 2008. The program is part of a DoD-wide effort to help the 1.2 million National Guard and Reserve members and their families connect with the best resources available before, during and after deployments.

Contact Airman and Family Readiness to find out about future events at (413) 557-3024.