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200 Reserve families gather in Memphis for Yellow Ribbon program

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Anna-Marie Wyant
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MEMPHIS, Tenn. --  When Reservists deploy, they are often sent individually or in small groups. They may hit low points during their deployments, and they may not know how to communicate their feelings to their families. Dave Roever, a patriotic public speaker and Vietnam War veteran, addressed these issues and more during an emotional speech Saturday at the Yellow Ribbon Program in Memphis, Tenn.

Approximately 200 Reservists and family members from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Charleston AFB, S.C., Keesler AFB, Miss., Tinker AFB, Okla., Dobbins Air Reserve Base and Robins AFB, Ga., Patrick AFB, Eglin AFB, MacDill AFB, Duke Field, and Homestead ARB, Fla., attended YRP at the Hilton Memphis Hotel and listened to Mr. Roever's stories and advice. Service members were encouraged to bring their families to the Nov. 20-21 conference, which offered a variety of informative sessions for adults and engaging activities for children.

During his speech, Roever, who suffered devastating injuries in Vietnam when the grenade he was holding was shot by an enemy sniper, stressed the importance of family members supporting their service member in all phases of deployment.

"[The exploding grenade] blew my face off, it blew my ear off, it blew my hair off, it blew my thumb off... I became blinded in one eye," he said. "I beat the odds... I would not be standing here if it weren't for family standing with me."

Mr. Roever made light of his wounds, encouraging the audience to laugh with him.

"According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, I am two hundred and forty percent disabled," Roever said. "I'm disabled enough for two and a half people!"

He said being resilient is important for any service member returning from a deployment, as many people come back with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

"I want to take the D off the end of PTSD," Roever said. "That's not a disorder; it's a normal response to being in a combat environment." He said programs such as YRP are priceless because they help service members learn about the myriad resources available to them.

Mr. Roever donates a great amount of his time and money, particularly to wounded veterans through the Eagles Summit Ranch near Westcliffe, Colo. He opened the beautiful estate in the Wet Mountains in 2008, and since then it has served as a sanctuary for severely wounded veterans to recover, relax and enjoy the wilderness. He said he is willing to do whatever it takes to help the military members who help preserve Americans' freedom.

"I really hate war, but I love freedom more than I hate war," he said. "I want my life to count; I want to live my life in support of freedom."

Mr. Roever also discussed how vital it is for service members and family members to communicate as much as possible before, during and after deployments. He said today's technology gives service members the ability to send text messages and emails to their loved ones while overseas, and even web chat with them via live video. He compared it to the technology he used during the Vietnam War.

"I was able to make only one radio call to my wife the whole time I was gone," Mr. Roever said. "The conversation went, 'I miss you baby. Over.' 'I miss you too honey. Over.' 'I love you. Over.' Can you imagine? There goes all the romance!"

He said staying in touch with family members as regularly as possible brings a sense of normalcy during tough times. Following his speech, Mr. Roever moved the audience as he played "How Great Thou Art" on the piano. This was Mr. Roever's first time being involved with YRP, but he said he would be glad to attend again and support the troops.

Maj. Gen. James T. Rubeor, commander, 22nd Air Force, also attended YRP to show his support for the program and answer questions from Airmen and dependents. He thanked the service members present, saying the U.S., a country of approximately 300 million citizens, is fortunate to have the 3 million military members who fight for their freedom.

"One percent of people in this country keep the other ninety-nine percent free," General Rubeor said.

General Rubeor said Yellow Ribbon is a great program because it prepares both the service members and their families for each stage of the deployment cycle. He said YRP also benefits the Air Force Reserves overall.

"Ultimately, this is about combat effectiveness," General Rubeor said. "We are a more effective combat force because our members know and care that we care not only about them, but also their families. And because we do, they are better and more effective at their jobs."

General Rubeor's wife, Mrs. Michele Rubeor, spoke to Reservists in the post-deployment phase Sunday, giving them her perspective as the spouse of a senior military member. She told Airmen that their families are affected by deployments, but they all appreciate their sacrifice.

"Just be aware your kids have memories and things that affected them while you were gone," she said. "They're so happy that you're home. Your parents are happy, and your brothers and sisters are happy that you have returned home safely." She also said communication not only between service members and their families, but also among Airmen, is an important factor in successful deployments.

"What's satisfying to me is seeing people crossing the line, communicating with and getting to know other people that are outside their base and their shop," Mrs. Rubeor said.

With communication playing such a vital role in deployments, YRP offered a session focusing directly on it. A Foundation for Communication is a class in which Reservists and family members could learn about and practice verbal, nonverbal and long-distance communication, as well as addressing the importance of listening and being an effective communicator. Other interactive sessions gave information on marriage enrichment, stress relief massage techniques, resiliency and more.

The Yellow Ribbon Program was initiated by the Secretary of Defense and mandated by Congress in 2008 to provide information, services, referral and proactive outreach programs to Reservists and Guardsmen and their dependents through all phases of deployment cycles. The program's goals are to prepare service members and their families for mobilization, sustain families during mobilization, and reintegrate service members with their families and communities upon return from deployment.

To learn more about YRP, visit www.yellowribbon.mil.