Families of deployed soldiers attend seminar

Photo By Lt. Col. Michelle Lunato | Spc. Chrystal Brisco, a soldier deployed to Afghanistan with the 324th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, takes a picture with her mother, Mary Key-Brisco and brother Christopher Brisco, June 3, during a Skype call in Charlotte, N.C. The call was made during a Yellow Ribbon event sponsored by the 324th ESB and the 335th Signal Command (Theater).  

CHARLOTTE, NC, UNITED STATES

06.04.2012

Courtesy Story

359th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade

By Spc. Anthony Hooker
359th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Leaders with the 324th Expeditionary Signal Battalion joined with key personnel tasked by the 335th Signal Command (Theater) to host a comprehensive and uplifting three-day seminar June 1-3 at the Omni Hotel in Charlotte, N.C. Fifty-eight family members representing 21 soldiers deployed in Afghanistan or Kuwait were provided presentations and resources designed to relieve many of the stressors that emerge during a soldier's deployment cycle.

This particular weekend, which is second of three events sponsored by the Yellow Ribbon program, was dedicated to family members, specifically to give the attendees tools to deal with the absence of their loved one, said Lt. Col. David Zillic, the commander of the 324th ESB. Among the highlights of the weekend was a visit from the Charlotte Bobcats dance team and mascot, the Carolina Panthers' mascot Sir Purr, and the deputy mayor of Charlotte. Attendees Mary and Christopher Brisco, Hephzibah residents who are the mother and brother of Spc. Chrystal Brisco, received a special gift when Spc. Brisco answered an international call via Skype while participating in a social media lecture.

"The number one goal [of this weekend] is making people aware of the services they can receive," said Zillic, a Manassas, Va. native. "We've had motivational speakers talk to the families and help identify emotional or legal struggles. There are a number of vendors- insurance companies and educational services, to include online schools, the Red Cross - who came here to let families know their offices are available to help."

Families participated in a variety of classes including financial management, suicide prevention and how to responsibly use social media sites. Unit representatives and program officials gave lectures as well as one-on-one discussions to allow the attendees the opportunity to share concerns or ideas on problems that may have been impossible to explain without direct contact.

Angeleta and Stanley Bernard, parents of Spc. Shannon Bernard, cautiously boarded a plane last week headed to Charlotte looking for answers. Traveling from their home in the British Virgin Islands, the Bernards wanted to understand if the deployment of their son would be successful and not compromise any of his personal prospects in the United States. Among their concerns were what sort of job possibilities their son could expect once he redeployed.

Before the trip, Mr. Bernard said most of his information about soldiers came through watching television. He said watching stories of veterans who had come home and became homeless was particularly stressful because his son would face the same challenge of restarting his personal life. After receiving the Yellow Ribbon Program's invitation, Mr. Bernard said he had to keep an open mind.

The Bernards said the Yellow Ribbon staff members worked continuously to ensure their flight and hotel reservation were arranged in addition to securing the couple's ability to pass through international gates without any problems. Once they made it to Charlotte, the Bernards raved about the greeting they got, mentioning how often people made efforts to thank them for their participation, as well as sharing all the opportunities their son would have for self-improvement during his deployment.

"Before coming here, I had no idea of what was going on," Mr. Bernard recalled. "Our son was moved from the 324th to another unit to help in a deployment to Kuwait, but the staff thought it was still important to have us included in their programs. Like most young people, my son doesn't like to share all of the information he gets about his personal affairs. To still be considered family to the 324th despite the change in duty meant a lot to me and my wife."

Zillic also noted how the assembled family members could help one another just by establishing a relationship during the deployment. Arriving from different towns in Georgia and the Carolinas, as well as distant places such as Detroit and New Orleans, Zilic said people could learn that being from different locales doesn't eliminate the opportunity to connect with another attendee. To assist in that effort, Army units sponsor Family Readiness Groups, which are organizations of family members, soldiers, civilian employees and volunteers who provide an avenue of support and a network of communication among family members, the chain of command and community resources.

"Families who probably would have never talked to one another get a chance to meet and network," Zillic said. "If they have a concern about (life insurance), they can reach out to someone who may have more experience with insurance agents. Some people are prepared for a soldier's absence while others are totally new to the experience. The Family Readiness Group probably plays the most important role to helping families cope."

Angeleta raved about the prepared efforts established by the FRG, saying the weekend allowed her to witness the camaraderie and togetherness the military is known to foster. She added that she was looking forward to using the telephone network system, nicknamed the "phone tree," whenever she wanted to participate in FRG activities or just learn a little more about military affairs.

"It's like a family, we're all involved in the same things, facing the same challenges," said Mrs. Bernard. "To be around and know about care packages for soldiers, learning how Veteran Affairs is available to soldiers when they return . . . it lets me know things are being planned and returned not just talked about."

Capt. John Clark, the rear detachment commander for 324th ESB's Alpha Company, said getting face time with the family members is absolutely important for his role in the deployment to be successful. Clark, a Greenville, S.C., native, said he is regularly in contact with the forward command group and has the opportunity to effectively address concerns that family members bring to his attention.

"If families don't know where or who to go to, they can't have their problems addressed," Clark said. "Whether it is business or personal, I am able to be a liaison and relay any concerns that may be an emerging issue for our soldiers while they are serving overseas."

• Date Taken: 06.04.2012
• Date Posted: 06.07.2012 11:48
• Story ID: 89585
• Location: CHARLOTTE, NC, US