Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program event shines Published June 28, 2009 By Senior Airman Viola M. Hernandez 433rd Airlift Wing LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 433rd Airlift Wing hosted its first Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program event on June 20. The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program is designed to prepare servicemembers and their families for the tasks and hardships that may come up during a deployment and also to assist them with the task of adjusting to life after deployment. Briefers included representatives from Tricare, Family Care Plan, Emplyee Support for the Guard and Reserve, Marriage Enrichment, Community Outreach, Military OneSource and others. This Yellow Ribbon event was significant because both pre-deployment and post deployment families attended. Families were able to socialize and exchange experiences and advice on how to deal with everyday situations. Spouses were able to hear the information briefed and received advice first hand and now know where to look for resources such as the Jack of All Trades program which offers help around the house for deployed member's families. Small children at the event were cared for by Child Development Center volunteers and older children were entertained by volunteers from Operation Military Kids, a program designed to help school age children adjust and succeed while a parent is deployed. Participant's feedback included, "Thank You! Today will not only benefit me as a Servicemember it was very helpful for my family, they felt Special!" and "Terrific! Thank You! This was a very beneficial program. More personnel should attend; they really missed out on good info." The next Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program event is currently being planned and is tentatively scheduled for August.