Maintenance Group hosts Wing's first Yellow Ribbon event

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Ellen L. Hatfield
  • 349th Air Mobility Wing
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif --  "This is your day, it's all about you," said Brig. Gen. Maryanne Miller, in kicking off the first Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program conference at the Air Force Reserve's 349th Air Mobility Wing here.

Hosted by the 349th Maintenance Group, much of the planning was the brainchild of Mrs. Marcy Anholt, wife of former 349th MXG Commander Col. Bill Anholt, and guest speaker for an evening town hall meeting. Also the innovation of Mrs. Anholt, were the combat boot cactus garden centerpieces on all the tables in the atrium, as well as other little military themed touches.

Master Sgt. Pam Silas and Mr. Jack Watts, 349th Airman and Family Readiness office, were instrumental in planning the day's activities and coordinating the volunteers. A plethora of information and resources was available, including representatives from Tricare, Air Force One Source and the Veterans Administration.

There was free child care in the "baby room," and the older children were treated to demonstrations, the first by Donatello, one of four robots assigned to the Explosive Ordinance Disposal team. (Yes, the other three robots are also named for cartoon turtles: Michelangelo, Leonardo and Rafael).

Next, was a demonstration by military working dog, Geo, who at nine, is almost ready for retirement, but still was happy show his stuff and take down the 'bad' guy. After some time in the bounce houses, the children filled goodie bags with free school supplies, and then trooped over to the Travis Bowling Center to try out their skills.

After a pizza party, the children rejoined their parents in the Atrium of the 349th MXG, where they had just enjoyed a spaghetti dinner after a day of briefings and discussions. Following Mrs. Anholt's address and the town hall meeting, family members and Airmen had the opportunity to speak about their own experiences from deployment.

"It was really great to interact with the spouses directly and get a feel for their issues," said Mrs. Anholt. "Some really great ideas and solutions came out in the Town Hall and I am grateful for the spouses who were there." She suggested that the next Yellow Ribbon event might be over a lunch instead of a dinner, as the day was long and filled with so much information.

"Between 'Chief Bill's' spaghetti, Pam's Mother Wee Be's act, and Mrs. Anholt's town hall meeting, I think most folks had a rewarding and fun day, said Mr. Jack Watts, director of Airman and Family Readiness. "We had the best little babies in the world, not a peep from them in seven hours! The kids had a blast."

For Sergeant Silas she finally got to meet the families she had only talked to from a distance. "It was great to be able to put a face with a name for so many people we've talked to over the phone or through correspondence for so long," she said, smiling. "It brought me closer to the families."