Navy Dispatch - 18 September 2003

"Winners chosen to receive complimentary weddings from 'operation I Do!' "

Two couples have been chosen as the winners of the "Operation I Do!" weddings: Christopher Miers and Shannon Grauer of El Cajon and Virginia Knight and Albert Swalla of Clairemeont. Miers, a U.S. Navy supplyman, and Grauer have won the "Alpha" wedding, which will take place this November at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina. Lieutenant Commander Virginia Knight, a U.S. Navy doctor, and Albert Swalla have won the "Bravo" wedding, which is scheduled to take place in April 2004 at the El Cortez in downtown San Diego. The ceremony, drawing, and announcement, which included a salute to the troops and a Color Guard by the Veterans of Foreign Wars was held on Aug. 29, at the San Diego Symphony's Summer Pops concert facility at the Navy Pier to downtown San Diego.

"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 respect to the military for its sacrifices and as a counter to the opposition mounted by antiwar protestors after the war in Iraq had begun. "Operation I Do!' gave all military members who were forward deployed during "Operation Iraqi Freedom" and/or "Operation: enduring Freedom" a chance to win the ultimate wedding.

"The closest civilian parallel to the commitment made by the US 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 of as one wedding, "Operation I Do!" expanded to two weddings, appropriately named "Alpha" and "Bravo." This expansion is due to the generosity of more than 75 of the best wedding-related vendors in the San Diego area who 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 (wedding coordinator), Kathy Wirgh & Co. (florist), and San Diego Magazine are among the many contributors and also serve on the "Operation I Do!" steering committee along with other businesses and organizations such as Variant, Inc. (ocean-engineering), and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Many contributions are still needed to make these weddings possible, including a rehearsal dinner site, and guest book for "Bravo" wedding. To become a contributor please call (760) 788-1138. Cash donations will be accepted and used to cover incidental expenses and any remainder will be given to the newlyweds as a wedding present.