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McConnell's Yellow Ribbon Program Coordinator here to help

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Abigail Klein
  • 931st Air Refueling Group Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  When he volunteered for the job as the 931st Air Refueling Group Yellow Ribbon Program Coordinator, Tech. Sgt. Ray Wahl did it because he thoroughly enjoys helping people. 

According to the Yellow Ribbon Program website, the program is a Department of Defense-wide effort to promote the well-being of National Guard and Reserve members, their families and communities by connecting them with resources throughout the deployment cycle. As the program's newest coordinator, Wahl's job is to help schedule soon-to-deploy or recently deployed members of the Group to attend Yellow Ribbon events.

Only on the job for just a couple of weeks, Wahl hasn't been able to attend an event as a participant or coordinator, but he is looking forward to attending his first event in November.

Wahl, who joined the unit last January, as a member of the 931st Force Support Squadron, began actively volunteering when he was still an active duty Airman stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota.

While assigned to the 28th Mission Support Group, the Wichita, Kansas, native quickly began volunteering for the base honor guard over the next six years.  He then broadened his reach to the local Black Hills Community, where he and other Airmen frequently visited with orphaned children at the children's home.

His desire to help others was also fueled by his experience working with the U.S. Army's Mortuary Affairs during a deployment to Kuwait in 2010.

"After seeing what they go through, and viewing firsthand the effects that some people have coming back from deployment, I realized I wanted to help people coming back home," he said.

In addition to helping people, Wahl also looks forward to the chance to get to know members of the 931 ARG, as well as other Reservists who will attend these events.
According to the Air Force Reserve Command Yellow Ribbon website, the events are open to members who are scheduled to or have served for 90 days on active duty in support of a deployment and were separated from their family, accumulated over a 12-month period.

Members can attend a pre-deployment event up to 120 days prior to the deployment, and can attend a post-deployment event up to 180 days after their return. Members can attend as a single individual or can bring immediate family members or even a best friend. Single Airmen can attend as well, and can bring up to two guests of their choice.

Yellow Ribbon events are typically held at resort locations, such as Orlando, Florida or Costa Mesa, California. White said the idea behind that is to provide the Airman and his or her family with a relaxing environment, away from the stressors of normal life.
For more information on the 931 ARG Yellow Ribbon Program, including information on eligibility and upcoming Yellow Ribbon Program dates and locations, contact Tech. Sgt. Ray Wahl at ray.wahl.1@us.af.mil.