BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Air Force Reservists returning from deployment and preparing to deploy honed their communications skills and readiness during the western region Yellow Ribbon event held June 11-12, at the Westin Hotel in Bellevue, Wash.

The event's theme was relationships and sustaining them throughout the life cycle of a deployment. It featured guest speakers and breakout sessions designed to enhance the relationships of the 140 attending Reservists and their family members through the deployment process.

The Yellow Ribbon program is a cooperative network of military services, veteran service organizations, state government departments, and other agencies that provide information, resources, referral, and proactive outreach to service members and their families throughout the deployment cycle.

Tech. Sgt. Kasey Grindrod, the 310th Space Wing Yellow Ribbon coordinator, said the guest speakers, Delilah Luke and Kristy Tubbs, brought skills in interpersonal communication to the event that focused on relationships between not only adults, but also the children of deployers.

"This event placed a lot of emphasis on effective communication during the deployment," said Sergeant Grindrod. "We received a lot of good feedback about not only the speakers, but also the breakouts, so we learn about not only our successes in supporting deployers, but also learn lessons on how to make each event better."

Delilah Luke, better known to fans of her syndicated radio show as Delilah, spoke to the group about her experiences with the military community, as well as offering up her own insights from many years as a radio host about communicating with significant others and her appreciate for the military.

"When (AFRC) invited me to go on tour with them, it changed my life forever. I cannot see a man or woman in uniform without hugging them and thanking them," said Delilah. "I don't care where they are, at an airport, a bus stop, downtown in a shopping center, I stop them and say thank you. Thank you for being willing to lay down your life for me."

It is this willingness to sacrifice life or limb that Delilah said makes her so passionate for working with service members at events such as Yellow Ribbon events.

"What would motivate a person to say, I'm going to put myself in harm's way to protect your rights?" said Delilah. "That's sacrificial love at its finest."

The events also include breakout sessions focusing on topics such as marriage/single member workshops, reconnecting with children, jobs fairs and career coaching, educational benefits, anger and stress management, and other community and military resources.

In addition to speakers and breakout sessions, the Yellow ribbon program provides access to Military One Source, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve, the Department of Labor's Veteran's Employment and Training Services, TRICARE, military finance, as well as chaplains and the psychological health advocacy program to prepare deployers and their families for deployments, as well as after the fact.

Reservists are encouraged to attend Yellow Ribbons events with their families and loved ones prior to their deployment, as well as events 30 and 60 days after the deployment.

The 926th Group had four members attend this session, and is currently accepting registrations for next month's event in Palm Springs, Calif., through July 1. "This session had one of the best turnouts I've seen," said Tech. Sgt. Amy Bailey, 926th Group Yellow Ribbon coordinator. "I had put the agenda together setting the tone for the event, and a lot of people were responsive to attending the breakout sessions offered."

Sergeant Bailey is responsible for coordinating childcare for the July event. She explained that there are also many activities for teenagers attending. "Project YES! (Youth Extension Service) caters to 13 to 17-year olds, teaching them leadership and life skills, and providing science, technology, engineering and math activities. We also have a Military Family Life Consultant who talks to the kids in a group setting about how deployments are affecting them," she said. 

"On the last day we'll hold a family fun activity for all of the kids. The activity involves the whole family, encouraging communication and encompassing all of the lessons learned during the event," she said. "We partner with many base agencies as they're available to provide activities for the kids. Other events have incorporated a Drug Demand Reduction program and a mock deployment line so kids can better understand what their parents experience." 

For more information on the Yellow Ribbon program and upcoming reintegration activities, military members from the 926th Group and their families can contact Sergeant Bailey at 702-652-0711.

(Story contributed to by 926th Group public affairs)