Yellow Ribbon event a success Published May 10, 2010 By Capt. Nicholas L. Strocchia 459 Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- Airmen and families of the 459th Air Refueling Wing attended the wing's second annual, Yellow Ribbon Reintegration event at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Arlington, Va., April 16 to 18. Yellow Ribbon events facilitate a forum for specialists to create awareness about information, services, referral, and proactive outreach programs to servicemembers and their families before and after a deployment. According to Mr. John Groth, a keynote speaker for this year's event, Yellow Ribbon Reintegration events offer information on important resources available to servicemembers and their families. "The great thing about getting help when you need it is that you no longer have to try to be superman or superwoman. That's a lonely lifestyle," said Mr. Groth, who was also an Air Force Reserve lieutenant colonel who retired from Dover Air Force Base, Del., as the chief of mortuary services. The event began on Friday with an informal greeting by wing leadership, followed by a performance by the U.S. Air Force's premier traveling rock band, Max Impact. Saturday and Sunday's activities consisted of briefings from representatives from the 459th ARW, Tricare, The Red Cross, The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Military One Source and United Concordia. Individuals were briefed on: Uniformed servicemember rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act Non-medical support services provided by Military and Family Life Consultants, The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Chaplain Corps Benefits of the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill Personal financial services "In the past, it was up to the individual Airman to seek out this information on their own. Now, thanks to congressional funding, we are able to host a weekend where we can highlight personal services that our Airmen may not have previously known about and tie them into an important support network of families who have wing members deploying," said Col. James M. Allman, 459th ARW vice commander. Airmen and their families were treated to a two-night stay at the Ritz-Carlton and childcare was provided by Maj. Melissa Vines, 459th Mission Support Flight and her team of wing volunteers. "All the hard work paid off and it was great to see the spouses and their families really enjoy the whole experience," said Senior Master Sgt. Jennifer Hutcherson, 69th Aerial Port Squadron first shirt and Yellow Ribbon deployment-cycle, support representative. "Everyone left with a big smile on their face."