Yellow Ribbon ties deployed, domestic ends together

  • Published
  • By Gene H. Hughes
  • 908th Airlift Wing
MAXWELL AFB, Ala. --  Quality of life was the focus March 12-13, as the 908th Airlift Wing hosted a pre-deployment Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program event. More than 100 Reservists preparing to deploy overseas and their families gathered in downtown Montgomery, Ala. to receive information from organizations and programs designed to make deployments, and the separation issues that accompany them, less stressful.

Activities began Friday evening with registration and an ice-breaker event, featuring refreshments and a large play area with toys for the kids. The main event kicked off Saturday morning with breakfast, followed by a welcome from 908th Airlift Wing commander Col. Brett Clark, who commended the civilian leaders who assist the wing.

"I've been around the country in several different sectors, and I want to tell you that I don't think there is a more committed civil sector and civil leaders than we have supporting us at the 908th Airlift Wing and Maxwell Air Force Base," he said.

Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange, a former member of the National Guard, thanked the Airmen for their service and commitment, and told the assembly everything would be done to help deployed members do their duty.

"We hope that through events like this, you will be comforted that your people back home will be getting the very best support and assistance possible," he said. "I know that while you're over there, you're worrying about home. We who represent the areas you come from will do all that we can to make that as easy as possible."

Mayor Strange then introduced Al Allenback, district director for U.S. Congressman Bobby Bright and former commander of the 42nd Air Base Wing. On behalf of the congressman, Mr. Allenback thanked the wingmen and their families and also applauded the wing on its successful operational readiness inspection, the humanitarian flights made in support of Operation Urgent Response in Haiti and the upcoming deployments.

"What you're doing is very important," he said. "It's a very important deployment. The congressman has been downrange to Iraq and Afghanistan three times in the past year, so he knows where you're deploying to and exactly how important your mission is to our folks over there. He also knows how important it is to take care of your families, and families are an integral part of this deployment."

"I'm happy to see what Colonel Clark, Master Sgt. Cunningham and the rest of the Yellow Ribbon team have done here to make this a lot easier. Some of you remember the old days, when the only thing mom and the kids knew what was dad told them, and that wasn't very much. So this Yellow Ribbon event is a great thing to get everybody involved."

Showing their support, Joe Green from the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce and Stephanie Godwin, representing the Millbrook chamber, were on hand, as was Chief Master Sgt. Steven Larwood, command chief master sergeant of the 22nd Air Force.

Programs and organizations providing support and information at the event included Alabama Governor Bob Riley's Operation Grateful Heart, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, the Veterans' Administration, Airman Family and Readiness, Military Life Consultants, Military OneSource, TriCare, Key Spouse, the American Red Cross and Sexual Assault Response.

Members also received information about coping with stress, financial assistance, educational benefits and the chaplain's office.

The event made things easier for attending families by accommodating the children. While the parents attended the informative program, child care and activities were provided. Many members commented how much they enjoyed having activities for their children during the event.

"They have never experienced anything like this before and it is something they won't forget," said Master Sgt. Felicia Cunningham, 908 Airlift Wing Yellow Ribbon Coordinator. "A lot of the members can't wait until the post deployment event in October."

According to 908th Maintenance Group commander Col. McCauley von Hoffman, the event provided a welcoming environment for both deploying airmen and their families. She commended the Yellow Ribbon committee for arranging speakers to cover such a wide range of topics.

"As a commander, it was very reassuring to see all the support programs for the families, in all cycles of the deployment," she said. "Our Airman and their families left with a dozen 'how-to-prepare' checklists and at least 20 hotline numbers. But perhaps the most important outcome was the strong affirmation from the Air Force and local community leaders that our wing members' service is deeply appreciated."

"I think everyone should do this," said Staff Sgt. Ryan Miller, who attended with Laura, his wife of 18 months. "It definitely lessened my anxiety, and what I liked the most was the appreciation shown to the families. I couldn't do it without her, and it's so important to me that she knows that she's important, and that she'll be taken care of."

"We've been stressing about this for months, Mrs. Miller said. "Having this information in hand takes a lot of the worries away. I feel so much better knowing that I have all these available resources here at home while he's deployed."