Around 120 area New York Army National Guard soldiers and their families were learning about the many benefits available to them during the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program held at the Radisson Hotel in Rochester on Friday.
Sgt.Matthew Kratts returned from a year in the Middle East, and he and his wife Brianne struggled at first.
The couple said they took advantage of the programs available to military families.
Command Sgt. Major Mark Wilson of the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion was deployed for a year in Kuwait.
He says his biggest challenge was reintegration with his family and handling home life again after a long separation.
Director of Family Programs for the New York Army National Guard, John Willsey, says the Yellow Ribbon program offers veterans counseling and information on jobs, careers, veterans benefits and available support networks.
Willsey says contrary to popular belief, not all soliders come home with some health issue that affects them.
