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400 attend Yellow Ribbon event in Denver

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Megan Tomkins
  • 910AW/PA
DENVER, Colo. --  Nearly 400 servicemembers and their families attended the Air Force Reserve Command Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program in Denver April 19-21.

Attendees had the opportunity to attend breakout sessions on resiliency training, TriCare, family and relationship building and safe social networking training
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This was the third event for Tech. Sgt. Anthony Adams and his wife, who said they enjoyed the opportunity to receive helpful information in a relaxed setting.

"The ESGR and Hero to Hired tables were the most beneficial to me," said Adams. "It's good to know that there are programs to protect your jobs and offer new employment opportunities."

Senior Master Sgt. Tony Briseno, AFRC Yellow Ribbon Event manager, said he was excited to be a part of the team.

"This is my first event solo," said Briseno. "It has been a challenge, but rewarding because we are here to serve families and ensure they have the best experience possible."

He believes the Yellow Ribbon Program is important for servicemembers and their families because it provides important resources and information before and after deployments.

"In today's Air Force, the operations tempo has been hard on families," said Briseno. "These events help families reunite and connect with other families that have been through the same experience before. It helps build bonds that last a lifetime."

Briseno said although he believes every aspect of Yellow Ribbon events are important for servicemembers, his favorite part of the event is getting to see them socialize and network over something as simple as snack tables because it gives them an opportunity to develop relationships and interact with resource providers.

Adams agreed that these events are beneficial to attend pre- and post-deployment.

"There's a lot of good information available in one place," said Adams. "Also, being able to meet new people who shared the same experience as you or being able to offer advice to those who are deploying is an important part of this program."

As the Yellow Ribbon program continues to help servicemembers, Briseno hopes that anyone who is eligible has the opportunity to take advantage of it.

"The Yellow Ribbon program is most actively advertised via word-of-mouth," said Briseno. "The better we make these events the more likely we can get more people here that we can help. We want to have a bigger positive effect on servicemembers and their families and provide them with the services they need."