Coast News - 14 August 2003

"Local businesses partner to give away a wedding"

Several local coastal businesses are showing their appreciation to the U.S. armed forces by contributing services to "Operation I Do!" which makes possible two weddings for two luck members of the military.

Atomic Groove of Encinitas will be providing music. Royal Maui Jewelers of Carlsbad is contributing their wedding rings. The rehearsal dinner will take place at Delicias in Rancho Sante Fe. The Gentlemen's Tux Club in Oceanside will provide groom's attire, and the Rev. Richleigh Powers of Lecuadia will be contributing his services as officiant.

"Operation I Do!" was created by local resident Jan Vlcek as an expression of gratitude to the members of the U.S. military. As a United States Army veteran, Vlcek wished to demonstrate his respect to the military for its sacrifices and as a counter to the opposition mounted by antiwar protesters after the war in Iraq had begun.

"The closest civilian parallel to the commitment made by the U.S. military is the commitment made by the traditional American family," said Vlcek. "The most publicly understood display of this commitment is a wedding."

Originally conceived as one wedding, "Operation I Do!" has now expanded to two weddings, appropriately named "alpha" and "bravo."

This expansion is due to the generosity of more than 65 of the best wedding-related vendors in the San Diego area that are donating almost everything needed for the ultimate wedding including attire, reception site, photography and air transportation for the bridal couples and their parents. Anna V (pastry chef), FirstDance.com (DJ), Details Defined (coordinator), Kathy Wright & Co. (florist), and San Diego Magazine are among the many contributors that also serve on the "Operation I Do!" steering committee along with other business and organizations such as Variant, Inc. (ocean-engineering), and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

All military members who were forward deployed during Operation: Iraqi Freedom and/or Operation: Enduring Freedom are eligible to win a "five-star" wedding from "Operation I Do!" No extraneous qualifications apply; no essay writing or stories of need will be necessary.

A random drawing will be held at the San Diego Symphony's Summer Pops concert facility at the Navy Pier in Downtown.

Cash donations are being accepted by "Operation I Do!" organizers to be used for incidental expenses. Any remainder will be divided among the two chosen couples as a wedding present.

For details, call (760) 788-1138.