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West Coast Yellow Ribbon event strengthens family ties

  • Published
  • By Valerie Palacios
  • 452 AMW Public Affairs
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. --  More than 600 Airmen and their family members attended the Yellow Ribbon Program in San Diego, Calif., Dec. 3. The event, co-hosted by 452nd Air Mobility Wing, was the sixth Yellow Ribbon event held by March Air Reserve Base and the largest program to date in the region.

The Yellow Ribbon Program assists Airmen with premobilization, mobilization and reintegration by bringing them and their families together and presenting them with information and resources in a comfortable, family-friendly environment.

Yellow Ribbon Program coordinator, Tech. Sgt. Margarita Jimenez, said there were many challenges in coordinating such a large event but she is happy the program is attracting more people and growing in quality.

"I love the program and what its concept is and I really have been enjoying affecting other people's lives," she said.

Sergeant Jimenez said having the event at Town and Country Resort Hotel and Convention Center was a great improvement in location and offered more resources. The off base location allowed for a more casual environment away from military formalities.

For future Yellow Ribbon events, Jimenez encourages the attendance of families of servicemembers who are deployed at the time of the event. Families would then be able to collect information and ask questions about resources available to them while their servicemember is deployed.

Beale, McChord and Travis Air Force Bases teamed up to support the event which allowed for help with the coordination and execution of the event. Ideally, the regional event is held on a quarterly basis and is open to all Air Force Reserve servicemembers from March, Beale, Travis and McChord Air Force Bases. The Secretary of Defense initiated the Yellow Ribbon Program and Congress mandated it in 2008. The program is specifically designed for the Air Force Reserve with a goal of providing information, services, referral and proactive outreach programs to reservists and guardsmen and their dependants during all phases of the deployment cycle.

The weekend's event began with registration and check in Friday, followed by a welcome and introduction presented by Col. Mary Aldrian, 452nd AMW vice commander and 452nd  AMW Command Chief Master Sgt. Ericka Kelly. Volunteers from March hosted an evening social which included a disc jockey and light snacks, as well as games and entertainment for children. Saturday, the convention center's many rooms were filled with Airmen and families actively participating in informational briefings and motivational presentations.

An early dismissal time Saturday enabled attendees to venture out on their own to experience the city of San Diego. The Yellow Ribbon Program ended Sunday morning with giveaways from the Defense Commissary Agency and a speech by Col. Karl McGregor, 452nd AMW commander.

While the event catered to servicemembers with spouses and children in the past, this Yellow Ribbon event included information and briefings for single servicemembers. Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Monsivais from McChord Air Force Base said some briefings opened his eyes to new solutions to his concerns. He also enjoyed the lively sessions, such as "Managing Stress With Humor" with Charles "Chip" Lutz.

"Interactive speakers bring more to the briefings and it's something I really enjoyed," he said.

Sergeant Monsivais said he made it a point to make it to the briefings directed toward single servicemembers because he found them to be more helpful than the family-oriented ones.

In the foyer of the convention center, there were approximately 25 internal and external organizations with information tables and representatives available to answer attendees' questions. Some representatives were able to assist with finance, education and chaplain services, while others, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, Defense Commissary Agency and Personnel Force Innovation, offered information about their organizations.

Although it is not mandatory to attend the Yellow Ribbon Program, 452 AMW leaders highly encourage Airmen who deployed for 90 days or more or who will deploy in the future to attend. Airmen who attend the Yellow Ribbon Program are placed on orders and they are compensated for food and travel expenses for themselves and their families. Single servicemembers may bring their parents or a sibling instead.