Costa Mesa Calif. –
More than 500 reservists and family members from across the country attended a two-day Yellow Ribbon event in Costa Mesa, Calif., Jan. 25-27.
Among those attending were five members of the 940th Wing, Beale Air Force Base, Calif., who recently returned from a deployment.
The Air Force Reserve Yellow Ribbon Program is a series of events designed to provide service members and families with resources prior to a deployment, stability and family support during the deployment, and successful re-integration experience after the deployment.
"There are three Yellow Ribbon events everyone who deploys is given an opportunity to attend. One pre-deployment and two post-deployment," Major Todd Guiney, 940th Wing Yellow Ribbon Representative said. "Each member has specific information sessions available to them depending on where they are in the deployment cycle."
Since its inception in 2008, Yellow Ribbon has grown into a nationwide program with conferences held throughout the country and has introduced Yellow Ribbon Representatives at each wing throughout the Reserve to facilitate information at the wing level.
As someone who deployed before the Yellow Ribbon Program was in place, Maj. Guiney personally sees the benefit it provides our deployers.
"The most common questions people have are regarding how health benefits change as they go from active duty back to a traditional reservist," Guiney said. "I wish there had been something like this in place when I deployed several years ago."
The weekend event began with remarks from the keynote speaker, Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) John Groth. Groth spoke about his experiences working as a Chaplain in mortuary affairs at Dover Air Force Base, Del. He emphasized that no one is immune from the mental and physical stress of a deployment and, every now and then, we can all use a little help.
For reservists such as Lieutenant Colonel Michael Onines, 940th Wing Civil Engineering Squadron Commander, who attended the event with his wife Kim and four children, these events provide a way to get the information they need to reintegrate to civilian life while giving them a chance to relax with the family.
"The pre-deployment Yellow Ribbon event is vital. Without it my wife and I would have been lost," Onines said. "And the post deployment event is a valuable refresher of the services available to help with the transition back to civilian life."
After the speakers and service providers were introduced, the reservists and their spouses attended breakout sessions of their choosing.
Some of the sessions covered health and educational benefits while others dealt with family issues such as how to reconnect with children after a parent has been away for several months. There were also group discussions on maintaining healthy marriages, relaxation techniques and money management.
"From a squadron commander's prospective, the VA benefits briefing is very important," Lt. Col. Onines, said. "Even if theyaren't being shot at, people are still coming back injured and in need of help."
"I saw many shoulder and knee injuries from people who put their bodies on the line to get the job done," Onines said. "And the VA is here to help bring them back to full strength, both mentally and physically."
Prior to his deployment, Tech Sergeant Albert Fanini from the 940th CES was unable to attend the pre-deployment Yellow Ribbon event due to commitments with his civilian job. But he sent his fiancée Colleen in his place.
"It was intimidating at first. I didn't know what questions to ask and where to turn to find out what I needed to know," Colleen said. "But during the breakout sessions, I found people had the same questions and concerns, and it really made me feel comfortable."
"Now that he's back from his deployment we can attend the information sessions together," she said.
At the conclusion of the Yellow Ribbon event, reservists had the opportunity to enjoy the area as a vacation destination. Many families with children enjoyed Sunday afternoon at nearby Disneyland before returning home.