LOS ANGELES - Soldiers and families from the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command and 730th Transportation Company Detachment attended a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration seminar at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles Dec. 13-15.
The 730th TC Detachment conducted a pre-deployment Yellow Ribbon event while the 311th ESC conducted a post-deployment Yellow Ribbon event.
The 311th ESC Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program's goal is to provide service members and families with the vital information that helps them connect with local community support before, during and after deployments.
In addition, the program addresses deployment issues and informs the attendees about the support and benefits available during all phases of deployment.
"The Yellow Ribbon Program highlights the important role and sacrifices that families make and the critical role they play in supporting soldiers," said 1st Lt. Randall Zeno, 311th ESC Yellow Ribbon coordinator. "These events help answer any questions or issues by providing resources and support"
The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program was established by Congress to address the unique needs of National Guard and Army Reserve members who deploy and to provide information about the range of resources available to them.
During the three-day discussion group, more than 800 people filled the banquet rooms of the luxurious downtown hotel.
"The event was extremely successful, generating a 90 percent attendance rate and accounting for over 25 percent of the overall attendance," said Spc. (P) Andrew Basler. "Soldiers and family members received profitable resources from community partners along with the reconnection with fellow deployed soldiers to further their reintegration back into the civilian world."
The 311th ESC recently returned home from a deployment from Afghanistan and Kuwait earlier this year. Reintegration is crucial in transitioning the troops back into the home front.