ROSEMONT, ILL- The 88th Regional Support Command hosted more than 200 recently redeployed Army Reserve Soldiers and their family members at a Yellow Ribbon Event in Rosemont, Ill., May 3-4.
The purpose of the event and the entire Yellow Ribbon Program is to provide soldiers and their families with information, services, referrals, and outreach opportunities throughout the entire deployment cycle.
Reductions in the number of Soldiers deploying has resulted in lower Yellow Ribbon attendance. This has allowed for enhanced services and a more intimate setting for those who attended, said Michael Larsen, director of the 88th RSC Yellow Ribbon program.
"We've been averaging about 400 people for our recent Yellow Ribbons, but for those here this weekend the lower turnout's made it a lot more personable," Larsen said. "They're going to get a lot more one on one time with their instructor, which is a huge benefit."
The overall feedback from the attendees and the presenters is always higher with the smaller groups, Larsen added.
"With the ratio of presenters to lower classes that's a huge payoff," he added.
Another benefit is for the community partners hosting booths at the event, which also gives them more valuable time with the Soldiers and their families, Larsen continued.
"If we have lots of folks they're all competing to talk to the same person, so smaller numbers again means more time for individuals," he said. "We have some new employers here this weekend and we try to make as many opportunities as we can for those service members looking for work."
Attending a Yellow Ribbon event for the first time was Chief Warrant Officer Richard McCormack, from Seminole, Fla., aviation safety officer, 164th Theater Airfield Operation Group, who was joined by his wife of two years Laura.
McCormack said he has been deployed five times during his twenty eight year Army career and is grateful for the resources provided by the Yellow Ribbon program, something that aided him in his marriage.
"I recently got married and I wanted to bring my wife here to integrate her into what I do and what happens after a deployment," he said. "The education benefits and getting help with counseling is what we're here for and looking forward to learning about."
McCormack said he had to do a lot of adjusting after his numerous deployments. During his most recent one in Afghanistan in 2012-13 his wife experienced the hardship of separation for the first time.
"It was rough being apart so soon into our marriage and when I came back my wife noticed certain changes in me," McCormack said. "I was numb to certain things and events like this certainly help the reintegration period."
Laura McCormack said she is also grateful for the resources provided by the Yellow Ribbon and echoed her husband's sentiments at the difficulties of being apart during his deployment.
"Our first year was spent apart and it was very rough, but thankfully we got through it," she said. "I had worked for the Department of Defense as a civilian, but it was my first time being personally attached to a Soldier and it was hard to deal with."
She said thoughts of her husband's safety trickled into her head during his deployment, but having the Yellow Ribbon counseling services available would alleviate such things should he ever leave again.
"All the benefits that are available to us should we need them are all here today," she said. "That's important for us and everyone here, especially those going from active to reserve."
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