Yellow ribbon ceremony pays tribute to deployed loved ones

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Spencer Gallien
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  The 2008 Tree Lighting Ceremony marked a special occasion for local families when they hung yellow ribbons on Moody's holiday tree to pay tribute to their deployed loved ones Dec. 5.

The yellow ribbon is a symbol associated with loved ones waiting for the return of a military member who is deployed, said Angel Brown, 23rd Force Support Squadron community programmer.

"It's extremely important that we support our deployed members as a community," she added. "During the holiday season, it's important to remember our servicemembers, especially those who aren't here. It shows them that we still care about them." 

More than 700 ribbons were hung to commemorate Moody's deployed members who could not attend the ceremony.

"I've been married to my husband for 17 years," said Kristina Edmondson, wife to Master Sgt. Anthony Edmondson. "These types of events mean a lot to my family when my husband can't be home."

The Edmondson family placed a yellow ribbon on the tree, to show support for their loved one who is deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. My children and I felt the ribbon was a symbol of pride, added Mrs. Edmondson. 

"I'm proud of my husband and what he does," she added. "He's been deployed for about two years during our marriage and I just want to support him any way I can."

During the tree lighting ceremony, Sergeant Edmonson's son, Anthony, and his daughter, Kali, worked the event by handing out hot chocolate to the community.

"We just want to support the troops, especially our father," said Anthony Jr. "The community supports us and we just wanted to help out."

Throughout the year, the 23rd FSS tries to make sure the families in the community have plenty to do, not just during the holidays, said Mrs. Brown.

"We try to take advantage of every opportunity to get involved on base," said Mrs. Edmondson. "We participate in the Hearts Apart dinners and take advantage of any support the base has to offer."

"The Air Force has always done a great job of giving support to military spouses," she added. "It's important to remember military spouses are still part of the Air Force family." 

The 23rd Force Support Squadron offers various programs for families throughout the year including the Hearts Apart dinner every Tuesday night at the Georgia Pines Dining Facility, the Give Parents a Break program that allows parents free child care one Saturday a month with referral from their first sergeant or commander, and a quarterly dinner at the Base Chapel for families of deployed Airmen.