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Yellow Ribbon turns skeptic into believer

Staff Sgt. Dale N. Ransom (center) and parents Donna and Dale attend a Yellow Ribbon Program event in Orlando, Florida on December 17, 2016. The Air Force Reserve Yellow Ribbon Program is designed to assist reservists and National Guard members in maintaining resiliency as they transition between their military and civilian roles before, during and after deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Brian Haun)

Staff Sgt. Dale N. Ransom (center) and parents Donna and Dale attend a Yellow Ribbon Program event in Orlando, Florida on December 17, 2016. The Air Force Reserve Yellow Ribbon Program is designed to assist reservists and National Guard members in maintaining resiliency as they transition between their military and civilian roles before, during and after deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Brian Haun)

NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  

The Air Force Reserve Yellow Ribbon Program is designed to assist reservists and National Guard members in maintaining resiliency as they transition between their military and civilian roles before, during and after deployment. Staff Sgt. Dale N. Ransom, 914th Airlift Wing Financial Management Technician, although initially skeptical of the program recently attended a post-deployment Yellow Ribbon event.

“It’s all about reintegration and coping with stress,” Ransom thought. “I feel like I’m fine when it comes to all of that and normally wouldn’t feel like I would get anything out of it.”

It was only after a Yellow Ribbon coordinator spoke to the financial side of his sensibilities that Ransom agreed to go. Ransom was told that it would be a waste of financial resources if he didn’t attend. He agreed.

“I went down completely skeptical,” said Ransom. “I thought, what am I going to get out of this?”

Ransom discovered, while at the event, that the program was very beneficial. He managed financial, healthcare, legal and end-of-life decisions. He was also introduced to other Airmen who had deployed.

“I came out very pleasantly surprised and got quite a bit out of it,” said Ransom.

Attendees to the Yellow Ribbon events are allowed to bring family members and loved ones to the events. These guests attend meetings and briefings alongside the military member in order to better understand what they may be experiencing. Ransom elected to bring his parents, Dale and Donna.

“I honestly didn’t really know what to expect from the Yellow Ribbon Program,” explained Ransom’s mother, Donna, who along with her husband, managed Ransom’s affairs while he was deployed.

She took comfort in hearing stories from other deployed members families.

Listening to other people’s struggles gave her a greater understanding of what other military families experience during a deployment.

Mrs. Ransom attended every briefing with her son and uses techniques learned at the event in her personal life as well. Hearing what difficulties that other wives and children were going through gave her a greater sense of compassion toward the families and military members.

“It is truly eye-opening,” said Ransom’s mother. “I’m grateful that you allowed me to go to Yellow Ribbon and experience that.”

The next Yellow Ribbon event is scheduled for January. If you have any questions about this event, or future Yellow Ribbon events, information can be found on the 914th Airlift Wing mobile app, on SharePoint or by calling the Niagara Falls Yellow Ribbon coordinator, Capt. Brian Haun at 236-2097.