Smiles, acts of kindness gave Operation Yellow Ribbon its foundation

by Senior Airman Matthew Lotz
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

2/28/2014 - AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- On Feb. 28, Team Aviano will bid farewell to Operation Yellow Ribbon as they celebrate the hundreds of volunteers who supported service members deploying downrange on weekly rotator flight.

More than 10 years in the making, OYR began a small group of spouses who took the opportunity to support deployers by visiting units and squadrons to deliver food and refreshments.

"Originally, we started visiting the squadrons around base to provide them with hot meals before they would deploy," said Christy Lister, OYR director. "Then in 2010, when the base got the deployment contract, we started setting up at the terminal and passing out refreshments, sandwiches and other hot meals."

With recent changes to the rotator's schedule, the Aviano Passenger Terminal will no longer have the opportunity to support traveling deployed members.

"Unfortunately the program is ending because the mission is changing," explained Lister. "As the mission changes, the program will have to move to a different place. I hope that wherever the program is going, someone puts something like this together for the troops because it is such a vital, yet simple thing that has a huge impact."

Over the years, volunteers devoted their time twice a week for flights with more than 200 military members arriving at the Aviano Passenger Terminal. Leading up to the main event, volunteers would dedicate more than 10 hours a week to prepare for the next upcoming week's flight.

"I volunteer for Operation Yellow Ribbon because it's important to take care of our deploying service members and help boost their morale," said Airman 1st Class Kyle Winton, 31st Medical Group technician. "For a lot of them, this could be their last hot home-cooked meal for six months or more."

According to Lister, a lot of the behind the scenes actions taken to provide the hot meals for these deployed service members was difficult.

"Over time we had to get donations on base through private organizations such as the spouse's group," said Lister. "They volunteered their time serving and raising money for the program."

The OYR program is a non-profit organization that accepts donations from transiting service members, the Commissary and spouse's group to help pay for items such as food, water bottles, napkins or paper plates.

"This Christmas, it had been raining when the power went out in the terminal," began Lister. "We could not open the doors to get food to the service members. After we were finally able to provide them with refreshments and food and they left, we found $80 of soaked bills in the donations box that they had donated. Even though they were cold and wet, they were so appreciative of the program and that just warmed my heart."

While the program may be coming to a close, OYR volunteers will always remember the many faces and smiles of deployers who passed through the base as they continue on to seek ways to support the men and women of the armed forces.

"These troops that come through belong to someone; a mother, father, daughter, son, husband or wife," said July Flowers, OYR former director. "They might be strangers to some, but we embrace them as our own when they are here. We will miss that feeling."