910th Airmen, families gain tools at local Yellow Ribbon event Published May 13, 2015 By Master Sgt. Bob Barko, Jr. 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs SANDUSKY, Ohio -- The 910th Airlift Wing, based at nearby Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio (YARS) hosted a local Yellow Ribbon Program event, welcoming more than 90 Citizen Airmen and their family members here, May 8 – 10, 2015. The participating Servicemembers returned within the last year from deployments lasting more than 180 days. The three-day event was designed to provide tools to them and their families to aid in settling back into life following an extended military tour and was supported by more than 30 Yellow Ribbon staff members and resource providers. Master Sgt. Sarah Hofmeister, Non-commissioned Officer in Charge of the 910th Airlift Wing Financial Management Office, said it was important to have a local event for the wing’s Citizen Airmen and their families. “(It was great) to be able to see local leadership there supporting me and meeting my family,” Hofmeister said. “It also was great to have breakouts and tables set up with local people that I know I can go to for follow-up questions or advice after the event was over because they are (at) Youngstown… I was able to take away new information that I hadn't been exposed to before along with getting to connect with other YARS members I don't normally interact with on a drill weekend.” According to Air Force Reserve Command, Yellow Ribbon promotes the well-being of Reservists and their loved ones by connecting them with resources before, during and after deployments. The program began in 2008 following a congressional mandate for the Department of Defense to assist Reservists and National Guard members in maintaining resiliency as they transition between their military and civilian roles. Each year, the Air Force Reserve program trains more than 7,000 Reservists and those closest to them with programs featuring education benefits, health care, retirement information and more. 910th Airlift Wing Commander Col. James Dignan also said the event was successful in relating usable information to the participants. “As Commanders and leaders we play a critical role in assuring our Citizen Airmen and their families attend Yellow Ribbon Events where they can access all the information they need…,” Dignan said. “Recognizing how our Reservists and their families face unique challenges, we chose to put on this event to specifically respond to those challenges. This was an extremely well received event and was successful in meeting those goals… (It) helped to connect our Airmen, their families and loved ones with local resources before, during and after deployments.” Senior Master Sgt. Judith Gutierrez, Yellow Ribbon Program Coordinator for the 433rd Airlift Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and an event staff leader, agreed with the commander’s assessment of the weekend’s program. “I believe the event was very successful. The intimacy of the small event, plus the fact that everyone knew everyone was a benefit,” said Gutierrez. “I think it was comfortable for everyone, and the members and their guests had time to get to know one another even better.” Gutierrez encouraged participants at this event to take advantage of future opportunities at regional Yellow Ribbon events when available. “Though this smaller event was very beneficial for the attendees, the larger regional events provide great benefit as well. The larger events allow for more choices in break-out sessions,” she said. “This helps the members and their guests get the most out of their time at the event because they can choose subject matter that most effectively meets their needs.” “After all, meeting the needs of our deployers and their loved ones is the purpose of the Yellow Ribbon program as a whole,” Gutierrez concluded.