Spc. Kolt Krumpos of B Co. 2-135 Infantry and his long-time fiancée Evie are expecting a baby later this month. As Krumpos' unit is preparing to deploy with the 1^st Brigade Combat Team, the couple is nervous and have lots of questions.

"It's going to be tough leaving my daughter and fiancée so soon after my daughter is born. I will be thinking about them all the time; it's going to be hard knowing I'm missing out on things and not there when they need me,'" said Krumpos.

Attending the Family Preparation Academy (FPA) at the Rochester Civic Center on Jan. 9, 2011 helped the couple get a better picture of what deployment would be like for their young family and the programs and resources available to them.

"The classes we attended helped us out quite a bit. The couples relationship class helped us identify some areas we could work on to strengthen our relationship even further during the deployment," said Krumpos.

In addition to classes, Servicemembers and their families had the opportunity to meet with providers and sign up for Beyond the Yellow Ribbon news that could help them out through the deployment process. One of the most popular areas was the Family Assistance Center table. Family members got a magnet with important information, allowing them to easily make a call if they need assistance or support during the deployment. Families even had a chance to build a hero bear with their young children to help comfort them during the deployment while their parent is gone.

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon also had some help at the FPA from the Southeast Minnesota Yellow Ribbon Network. Volunteers from the network gave out information to area Servicemembers and their families and in similar fashion to the hero bears, took photos and voice recordings to create a Hug-a-Hero doll. The dolls were funded by the Southeast Minnesota Yellow Ribbon Network and featured a photo of the child's deploying parent on them.

"We weren't expecting to come out with much (from the FPA) but we wound up learning a lot, I'm glad we had the chance to go to the event and take part in all of the activities," said Krumpos.

The Rochester FPA on Jan. 8-9 and another in the cities on Jan. 22-23 were held in preparation for the upcoming 1^st Brigade Combat Team's deployment. Another FPA in preparation for the deployment will be held in Brainerd on Feb. 26-27.

To learn more about Beyond the Yellow Ribbon FPA's, visit, www.BeyondTheYellowRibbon.org/predeployment.

Dean Markuson has been a large proponent of the Hastings Yellow Ribbon Community ever since the first community meeting was held there in October 2008. Markuson led the community through supporting local military families, making community members aware of the Yellow Ribbon program and following the steps required to become a Yellow Ribbon City. Finally in September of 2009, Markuson and the other volunteers who put their hearts and many hours into the cause, earned the Yellow Ribbon City designation for their community.

 
"The community is very excited to support and recognize Servicemembers and families by acknowledging their service and sacrifices, it's our way to serve and be involved," said Markuson.

Hastings Yellow Ribbon City has continued their efforts in assisting local military families and ongoing community awareness. On January 25, 2011, the City of Hastings proudly installed Yellow Ribbon City signs on each entrance into the city, right below the city limit sign. Markuson said, "the sign really signifies to people entering the community that Hastings supports and honors our military families."

The Yellow Ribbon Sign, made by the Minnesota Deparment of Transportation, signifies that a community has built a network and is committed to a sustainable program.Their network connects and coordinates agencies, organizations, resources and employers in order to proactively support Servicemembers and their families.

"It's really about awareness," said Markuson, who decided the best way to support local Servicemembers and military families was by spreading the message and letting people know that Hastings Yellow Ribbon was there to assist and support, "the sign was the next big milestone ... after the proclamation."

For more information on how you and your community can support local Servicemembers and their families, visit, www.BeyondTheYellowRibbon.org.

While Melony Butler - military mom, wife and volunteer - was in Montana on vacation, she met a veterans representative wondering how Minnesota was supporting its Servicemembers and military families. An active supporter of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon since its inception, she spent the next hour explaining the program.

Melony has also been supporting Servicemembers and families since 1994, when she first volunteered with her local Family Readiness Group (FRG). With a husband and four sons (three currently serving), Melony got involved and was empowered as a military wife, and learned how to stay strong for their kids.

Years later, when her husband returned from his first deployment to Iraq, her oldest son was preparing for his own deployment. After that, it was her second-oldest son's turn to serve in Iraq.

"Last year was our first Christmas together in five years," Melony said.

Her 17 years of experience as an FRG volunteer and military mom/wife has prepared her to face many challenges, and help other families understand the programs and support networks available to them. During those 17 years, Melony has watched the FRGs develop from hosting family picnics and other social events into a professional, structured group.

"Now we have more direction and training," Melony said, "the key is that we involve everyone, not just the Servicemembers."

Most recently Melony has been involved in the Mrs. Minnesota International competition. The system, which promotes today's women and their accomplishments and commitment to family, requires all contestants to select a platform to promote for one year. Naturally, Melony chose Beyond the Yellow Ribbon. At public appearances she attends as part of the contest, Melony provides handouts to help raise awareness about the program. She was recently named Mrs. Todd County International 2011.

Thank you Melony for your hard work and commitment to Servicemembers, military families and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon!

Model citizens of southeast Minnesota

A group of more than 30 girls in Rochester have found a way to give back to military families and Servicemembers in their community.

By hosting garage sales, car washes and other fundraising events, the John Marshall High School Rockettes Competitive Dance Team has raised thousands of dollars for donation. In December of 2010, the team presented a check for $500 to Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, Southeast Minnesota, establishing their "Youth Opportunity Fund."

In a school where almost half of the students know somebody affected by deployment, the fund will support military families that need assistance for their children's extracurricular activities, whether it be new soccer shoes or money for dance lessons.

"These kids are great," said Jan Suter, an art teacher at John Marshall, "they reached out to Beyond the Yellow Ribbon all on their own."

Going forward, these young women will continue their fundraising efforts in support of the Youth Opportunity Fund. For now, the $500 "seed" donation will help area, military families with the "small things necessary to do the activities."

"With so many families affected [by the 1st Brigade Combat Team's deployment in May]," Jan continued, "we know it will come up again."

In January, the Rockettes volunteered to provide child care at the Rochester Family Preparation Academy (FPA), an event that prepared local families and Servicemembers for the upcoming deployment.

"They volunteered as a group," Jan said. "After spending all day Saturday at [a dance] competition, they showed up Sunday morning."

To learn how to apply for aid via the Youth Opportunity Fund, or donate, visit, www.BeyondTheYellowRibbonsemn.org.