Rancho Bernardo News Journal - 14 Aug. 03

"Merchants rally to offer weddings to military" by Jessica Long

Unwed members of the military have until midnight Saturday to enter a drawing for a free five-star wedding courtesy of some local merchants, who want to thank them for their recent war efforts.

"Operation I Do!' will grant two military couples their own individual dream weddings based on a random drawing slated for later this month.

"Operation I Do!" was created by San Diegan and Army veteran Jan Vlcek to express gratitude to members of the military returning from the Middle East.

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

Only one part in the couple must be a member of the military, but that person must have been deployed recently as part of either Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Initially, just one couple was slated to be chosen, but a second wedding was added when more than 65 San Diego wedding vendors offered to donate their services to the cause, including Jensen Studios in rancho Penasquitos and RSVP Bridal Services of Scripps Ranch.

Applications can be found at operatinido.com. Civilians can enter on behalf of a military loved one, and all information provided will be verified with the Department of Defense.

The random drawing for "Operation I Do!" will be held at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29 at the San Diego Symphony's Summer Pops concert facility at the Navy Pier in Downtown.

"Operation I Do!" is being supported by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, San Diego Magazine, and Details Defined, a professional wedding coordinating company.

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.