Yellow Ribbon program welcomes returning Airmen

By Ms. Amanda Wicker, 132nd Fighter Wing/Airman & Family Readiness Program Manager / Published March 19, 2010

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Staff Sgt. Joshua Brady (left) receives a coin from USAA Military Affairs Representative Michael Evans (right) at the Yellow Ribbon Event held at the Holiday Inn Airport in Des Moines, Iowa on March 6, 2010. The coin is being presented to Sgt. Brady as a ?thank you? for his service and time spent overseas on a recent deployment. (US Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Linda E. Kephart)(Released)

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Master Sgt. Kurt Kollasch (left) and wife Susan (middle) enjoy each others company as they review information about the YMCA with representative Michelle Brainard (right) at the Yellow Ribbon Event held at the Holiday Inn Airport on March 6, 2010. The Yellow Ribbon Event is designed to assist military members who have returned home from deployment and offer assistance to them as they transition back into civilian life. (US Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Linda E. Kephart)(Released)

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State Youth Coordinator Jeremy VanWyk (right) explains how to make ?slime? to children he is working with who?s parents are attending the Yellow Ribbon Event held at the Holiday Inn Airport in Des Moines, Iowa on March 6, 2010. Childcare services were offered so parents could attend the event, which is designed to assist military members who have returned home from deployment and offer assistance to them as they transition back into civilian life. (US Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Linda E. Kephart)(Released)

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Staff Sgt. Taylor York (right) listens intently as Military Medicine (M2M) representative Heidi Carter (left) reviews information with him about what the M2M program has to offer. Sgt. York recently returned from deployment and is attending the Yellow Ribbon Event being held at the Holiday Inn Airport in Des Moines, Iowa on March 6, 2010. (US Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Linda E. Kephart)(Released)

Des Moines, IA -- On 6 March, the 132d Fighter Wing hosted a Post Deployment Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Workshop for Airmen that recently returned from deployment, and their Families. Approximately 110 Airmen, Families and Youth were in attendance. The Workshop was held at the Holiday Inn Airport in Des Moines, Iowa, and the event provided information and discussion on benefits, resources, and reintegration issues. Presenters included Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, TRICARE, Veterans Affairs, Veterans Administration, Military One Source, and Military Life Consultants. Attendees had their choice of attending two afternoon sessions to include Financial Management, Strong Bonds Program Overview, Stress Management, and Post 9/11 GI Bill. Also on hand were several exhibitors from USAA, Military to Medicine, YMCA, Vet Center and more. Youth activities focused on reunion and reintegration were provided for children grades K-12.

The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program is a Department of Defense program created to ensure service members and their families were receiving information, services, referrals, and proactive outreach opportunities throughout the deployment cycle.
The Workshop was organized by Amanda Wicker, Airman & Family Readiness Program Manager, and Rebecca Schrader, Yellow Ribbon Support Specialist.
If you'd like more information on the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program please contact Rebecca Schrader at 515-727-3208.