By Sgt. Cody Cooper, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
[caption id="attachment_27297" align="aligncenter" width="540"]
Families of the 441st Survey and Design Team receive gift cards from a local company at Keeneland as part of the track's military appreciation day, April 24, 2016, Lexington, Ky. Soldiers with the 441st are currently deployed to the Middle East and are expected to return later this year. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Cody Cooper)
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Families of the 441st Survey and Design Team gathered at Keeneland, April 24, 2016 to take part in the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP), an event that helps guide soldiers and families through the process of before, during, and after a Soldier’s deployment.
“The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program is designed to provide families and Soldiers integration training and opportunities about various programs, services and resources,” said Capt. Michael Moynahan, the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program director.
[caption id="attachment_27298" align="alignright" width="185"]
Families watch a video shout-out from the 441st Survey and Design Team at Keeneland during the track's military appreciation day April 24, 2016 in Lexington, Ky. The engineer unit is deployed to the Middle East assisting with construction projects for the U.S. Central Command. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Cody Cooper)
After staff members relayed information about the GI Bill, the Strong Bonds program, and youth programs, Lt. Col. James Richmond and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Sims stood up and gave out their cell phone numbers to all the families members in attendance. Richmond and Sims represented the 206th Engineer Battalion, the 441st's higher headquarters.
“This program is very informative,” said Angela Lasseigne, mother of deployed soldier 1st Lt. Cody Lasseigne, “I really liked how they gave contact information to us just in case we were concerned with anything, and I am happy about all of the support we have been given.”
Jennifer Faulkner, wife of Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Faulkner, and other families were able to see a shout-out video of their Soldiers after the playing of the National Anthem. The families of Lasseigne, Faulkner, and Spc. Tyler Gibson also had the opportunity to be formally recognized in Keeneland’s winner’s circle and received gift cards from a local company.
“Today is nearly a perfect day,” said Faulkner, “the only thing missing is my husband and I am excited to see him when he comes home.”
The 441st has been deployed to the Middle East to support the 682nd Engineering Battalion with providing survey and design support for units within the United States Central Command. The unit is slated to return home later this year.