Yellow Ribbon event provides rest, eases redeployment Published April 27, 2010 By Master Sgt. Donna T. Jeffries 514th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Rest and relaxation mixed with reintegration seminars and Veteran resources, coupled with plenty of chocolate, was the theme for the 60-day Yellow Ribbon Event held April 16 through 18 at Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pa. Yellow Ribbon coordinators from the 514th Air Mobility Wing planned the event for more than 60 servicemembers recently back from a deployment. The Reserve and Guard members from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Maryland Air National Guard, Joint Base Charleston, S.C., and New Castle Del., took advantage of this opportunity to spend quality time with their families while simultaneously getting information to smooth their transition back into civilian life. The Secretary of Defense initiated the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program in 2008. Its mission is to provide National Guard and Reserve members and their families with information, services, referral, and proactive outreach programs through all phases of the deployment, according to the Department of Defense Yellow Ribbon Web site. Events are held nationwide. "As both a commander and deployed member I thought this event was worthwhile," said Maj. Joseph Dell'Arciprete, commander of the 88th Aerial Port Squadron. "It was good that family members could come so we could keep them informed." The program prepares Airmen and Guardsmen for mobilization, sustains families during mobilization and reintegrates military members with their families, communities and employers upon redeployment. Events are mandated for 30, 60 and 90-day post-deployments. The event held in Hershey included briefings on current benefits and resources available to help overcome the challenges of reintegration. Workshops were held on family communication and reunion, marriage/spouse reunion, singles and reintegration and teen stress. Military family life consultants were on hand to conduct the seminars and give offline counseling. Representatives from Guard and Reserve employer support, Veterans Administration, American Red Cross, Tri-Care, Military One-Source, DeVry University, Keller Graduate Schools and Everest University Online, were on hand to share resources. "It's easy for active-duty members when they return to the base from a deployment; they have these resources right there for them," said an MFLAC volunteer. "It was important to have counselors on hand to talk about post deployment issues and help individuals dealing with reintegration issues or post traumatic stress," said Master Sgt. Alexander Lepore, event coordinator. "These events aid in identifying these issue immediately and people can take advantage of the resources available to them." Volunteers for the Corporate Kids Events, Inc. and Operation Military Kids provided day care for the children, while their parents attended breakout sessions. All agreed the weekend was well spent. "Whether it was sitting together in a briefing or enjoying the local attractions, the families really seemed to enjoy just spending time with one another," said Lepore. "This is the best event by far with helping the military member and their family adjusting to life (post-deployment)," an attendee wrote on an event survey. "I'm grateful my sister was here," said Lt. Col. Deborah Scott, a flight nurse with the 514th Aerospace Evacuation Squadron who recently returned from her fourth deployment. "Now I can talk to someone who kind of understands what I've gone through," she said. "This program was extremely useful and beneficial to both the members and family," said Maj. Bonnie Bosler, 514th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. "I feel this is an important aspect of the post deployment experience. Several people expressed Reintegration Yellow Ribbon events should be mandatory for all deployers. After the seminars concluded, members were free to explore Hershey and share bonding experiences with their families. I heard about the Yellow Ribbon Program from someone in my unit who participated in another event, said Matthew Flanagan of the 315th Mission Support Group, Joint Base Charleston. The sergeant is back from a six-month deployment in Kirkuk, Iraq. "I came looking for an opportunity to get away and spend time with my family stress-free. This is a cool place for kids and adults," he said. "I'm in chocolate heaven," said Master Sgt. Sonya Bullock, of the 88th Aerial Port Squadron here. The NCO, who has deployed several times, brought three members of her immediate family. For more information about the Yellow Ribbon program and to find a re-integration event near you, visit http://www.yellowribbon.mil/.