Photo By Staff Sgt. Peter Ford | Sgt. Stephen Lira, of San Antonio, who is a convoy operations specialist, assigned to...... read more read more
AUSTIN, Texas - Soldiers and family members of the 420th Engineer Brigade assemble here Oct. 15-16 for a Yellow Ribbon Program to help them prepare to answer the call of its country.
For decades, the yellow ribbon has been used as a symbol to show support for men and women who serve the United States far from home.
The 416th Theater Engineer Command began tie the yellow ribbons for the 420th Engineer Brigade. Soldiers and family member, as the soldiers prepare to deploy to Afghanistan this year. In recent years, the spirit of the yellow ribbon has evolved from being just a ribbon tied around trees to show support for the United servicemen, women and their families into a program that helps keep the Army strong.
“The Yellow Ribbon Program has evolved into three stages of support for soldiers and family members,” said Rosie Schmidt, a military and family member consultant of Austin, Texas. “The program helps prepare soldiers and family members for the challenges that they may face during predeployment phase of the program, support them during the deployment and helps to reintegrate them upon their return,” added Schmidt.
During the predeployment phase of the yellow ribbon program soldiers and family members are provided with an array of support groups and agencies that are dedicated to supporting the soldiers and family members who are willing to endure hardship and sacrifices for this great nation. The support of this program helps soldiers perform better during their tour of duty.
“This is the first deployment for my wife and it helps her to get a better understanding of how to handle different issues that may occur while I am gone,” said Sgt. Stephen Lira, a convoy operation specialist of San Antonio, who is assigned to the 980th Engineer Battalion, 420th Engineer Brigade. “This gives me the ability to focus more on the mission because, I know my wife have the support of the various programs provided to her from this Yellow Ribbon Program,” continued Lira.
The Yellow Ribbon Program offers child youth services and military family life counseling, it also inform soldiers and family members the benefits and services available to them from the stressors of the three phases of a deployment.
“This program gives me a better understanding of what goes of the military lifestyle,” said Blanca Segovia, the wife of Spc. Jesus Segovia of Austin, Texas, who is a water treatment specialist assigned to the 980th Engineer Battalion, 420th Engineer Brigade.
“This is my first deployment and I am learning the different ways to communicate with him and I am provided with different services to help deal with the stress with this deployment if needed,” continued Blanca.
Much like its origins the yellow ribbon is used as a tie to bond community the military its family members and a great nation.
Because of the strong support system of the U.S. soldiers, they remain Army strong.
| Date Taken: | 10.17.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 10.18.2011 23:09 |
| Story ID: | 78685 |
| Location: | AUSTIN, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 186 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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