Yellow Ribbon #1

For those that do not know, Yellow Ribbon programs have been mandated by Congress to support our Soldiers and their families. It is training time to teach Reserve and National Guard families about all of their entitlements that they are available to them before, during and after service. The Yellow Ribbons are usually at a nice hotel in a wonderful location and this allows the families to receive training as well as some relaxation time. They allow the Unit Family to come together and reunite. For the 889th TC DET these Yellow Ribbons are vital in the reunion of the unit since our unit is scattered across the USA. Families have the opportunity to attend at no cost to them and the Yellow Ribbon Program offers child care while the parents and/or Soldiers attend classes. The First Yellow Ribbon for Joe and I was in California. We were able to send the kids for a weekend to Grandma's and spend our last weekend (in a while) together in the warmth of Sunny Southern, CA. we were able to get to know other Soldiers in the unit as well as their wonderful families. Some of the class were learning how to cope with being apart. One of the main things I learned was about getting into my own schedule while he is gone. I knew I was going to miss him, however; it wasn't until after the first Yellow Ribbon did I realize what we were going to go through.