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TOLEDO, Ohio (July 26, 2014) – It's been four months into a year-long
deployment since their Soldiers departed to Afghanistan and
Kuwait. Their mission will focus on vertical construction,
where they'll improve and raise buildings in austere
conditions. This separation often presents issues back home,
requiring families to learn resiliency.
For that
reason, the 416th Theater Engineer Command hosted a Yellow
Ribbon Reintegration Program Phase 2 for more than 100
family members and friends to attend. Their Soldiers,
deployed with the 304th Engineer Company, have been focused
Soldier on long work days keeping them busy and distracted.
Their families, meanwhile, have been at home Soldier
learning to make do without their support.
The Yellow
Ribbon Reintegration Program has been around to assist
Soldiers and families during a deployment with information,
resources and to mitigate stressors of an extended
mobilization. Units have a family support group that works
with the YRRP during the four deployment stages
(pre-deployment, deployment, demobilization and
post-deployment).
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Summer Welbaum, wife of Capt. Timothy
S. Welbaum, commander 304th Engineer Company, sits with family as
she learns and gains advice for getting along without her Soldier
during his year-long deployment to Afghanistan and Kuwait at a
Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program event in Toledo, OH on July 26,
2014.
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Darrin McDufford)
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Tying together the information and
resources is a skillful and time-consuming task. The family
readiness coordinator is tasked with this demanding
responsibility.
Family and friends of Pfc. Shaina
Nelson, for one, have known about her deployment for about a
year. That didn't make it any easier to depart.
Sandi
Nelson, Shaina's mother, said, “Shaina likes to help. This
is her first deployment and being in the Army meant
deployment was a possibility. She enjoys new experiences and
hands-on training.”
This experience has demonstrated
to her the need for these Yellow Ribbon events.
“I
miss her. This is what she wants, and I support her,” said
Nelson. “This training gives me the knowledge to deal with
the deployment.”
Pfc. Nelson's friend, Britt
Johnstone said, “It was rough for Shaina to leave behind her
loved ones. Shaina wants to do good and get involved rather
sit on the sidelines.”
Johnstone said, “The Yellow
Ribbon training was a useful tool to help know what she can
do to help support Shaina. Sitting through this helps me
prepare and be ready, too.”
Emily White, of Berkey,
Ohio, a graphic artist is the wife of 10-year Army veteran,
Sgt. Chester White, a Soldier with the 304th Engineer
Company, said, “I've learned from the Yellow Ribbon Program
training to make lists that include emergency items and
contacts for Family, plans for childcare and financial
rules.”
“This program has taught me about
communication. Developing a support system is an underlying
need,” said White. “I am prepared.”
Some families
have issues they are dealing with. Sometimes it's not just
getting finances and emergency contacts inline. Some have
recently dealt with the death of someone.
“The most
difficult part is not having my husband around,” said Pam
Gardner of Lima, Ohio, wife of company 1st Sgt. Timothy
Gardner. “We lost our daughter in a traffic accident a few
months before the deployment. That added to the stress. We
had the family planning with our son-in-law and grandson to
work out.”
“Other aspects of deployment planning
required getting wills, power of attorneys prepared, and
home maintenance that I was aware of but did not know how to
do. The difficult part was just missing him. I get through
the best I can,” said Gardner.”
Capt. Charles R.
Saloga, 416th Theater Engineer Command Yellow Ribbon Program
coordinator, said, “The intent and purpose of the number 2
during deployment event focuses on preparing families
dealing with separation during the deployment cycle.”
“It gives family members the tools and resources to be
successful. We pick subject matter experts who provide
resources and emotional tools that will set them up for
success,” he added. “I wish the 304th the best and a safe
return to their families.”
There are many resources
the Yellow Ribbon partners with to assist the families at
home. These sources are Military OneSource, Employer Support
of the Guard and Reserve, Small Business Administration,
Veterans Affairs and others. The collaboration provides
information and interactive seminars and resources that are
relevant to the Families and their Soldiers.
Learn
more about the
Yellow Ribbon Program and upcoming events.
By U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Darrin McDufford
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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