Yellow Ribbon event educates Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airmen Lou Burton
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  The Shades of Green resort, located inside Disney World, played host to a Yellow Ribbon event for 478 Airmen, military personnel and family members Aug. 14-16.  Out of this group, 130 were from Homestead ARB.
 
"The Secretary of Defense initiated the Yellow Ribbon reintegration program to provide information, services, referral, and proactive outreach programs to military members and their families through all phases of the deployment cycle," said Dee Melvin, Personnel Liaison at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., and event master of ceremonies.

The goal of the Yellow Ribbon reintegration program is to prepare Airmen and their families for mobilization and sustain families during that mobilization. It also helps Airmen as they reintegrate with their families, communities, and employers upon their return.

"The event is not mandatory, so we host Yellow Ribbon events at desirable locations to entice members to come," said Capt. Amanda Hacman, Yellow Ribbon Program Manager, 482nd Fighter Wing, Homestead ARB.

Airmen and their families were given an opportunity to receive information about programs and services available to them while also attending various classes and sessions that dealt with issues facing deployed Airmen.

"In April alone, the military veteran suicide rate was 19 per day. These events give those who have deployed or will deploy for 90 days or longer, the opportunity to utilize the breakout sessions we have in anger management, speak with mental health, develop relationship skills, and speak privately with a Chaplin," said Capt. Hacman.

Tech. Sgt. Kina Bryant a transportation specialist assigned to the 70th Aerial Port Squadron said, "The Yellow Ribbon event is a great resource for me and my family. We get a lot of information about services available to us, but also we get resources to help us prepare for deploying so that our home runs smoothly while we are deployed."

The event took four months to plan and was not only organized by Homestead ARB; Duke Field, Fla., MacDill AFB, Fla., and Patrick AFB also participated.

Helping to keep things running smoothly, base finance representatives were on hand to quickly process orders for military members and their families.

"We process all of the attendee's orders here. Most Airmen and their families are living outside the local area, so we have all of the participants orders processed before they leave," said Melissa Cox, budget Analyst with the 482th FW Financial Management Office.

These events are available throughout the Air Force even for those not in a large deployment group. Airmen simply have to contact their Yellow Ribbon Program manager and request to attend an event. If there is not one locally, they can travel to an event in other areas.