MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. -- One of the Air Force Reserve priorities is to preserve the Viability of the Reserve Triad - Air Force, family, and employers. The purpose of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program is a way of doing precisely that.

The next Yellow Ribbon event is June 10-12 at the Westin Hotel in Bellevue. The event is for Airmen who've recently returned from deployments, or are preparing to deploy, and their families. The program aims to ensure the readiness and well being of Reservists and their families by providing dynamic events, information, services, and proactive outreach opportunities throughout an entire deployment cycle.

"I think it's critical that Airmen and family members know the benefits they are entitled to," said Mr. Carl Supplee, 446th Force Support Squadron Airmen and Family Readiness Center director. "Benefits like (Veterans' Affairs), retirement, and medical are all beneficial to their future. Yellow Ribbon explains that."

The event will include briefings like Military OneSource, which offers many services offered to Reserve families including, health and relationships, financial and legal advice, military life and deployment, career and education assistance, and family and recreation. Additional services that will be available are, effective communication, marriage and couples enrichment, stress management, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, and Post 9/11 GI Bill information.

Yellow Ribbon events are normally held in family-oriented environments as opposed to on base, said Mr. Supplee.

"This is my first Yellow Ribbon event," said Senior Airman Cassie Osuna, an 86th Aerial Port Squadron cargo processor who recently returned from a deployment in Southwest Asia. "I hope to find out more about resources and benefits I am entitled to."

Airman Osuna is a single mother of two, and a cake decorator for a Safeway in Tacoma. She intends to learn more about Tricare medical benefits and the Post 9/11 GI Bill. One of her goals is to begin college this fall at Tacoma Community College, so she can be an ultrasound technician.

Airman Osuna would also like information about ESGR and other careers that are available for veterans, she said.

Reservists and family members, like Airman Osuna's, can benefit greatly from this event, because the resources and information will be available at their finger tips.