Operation Open Arms comes through again
To the editor:
One of the more compelling story lines of this Memorial Day is the unchartered water our troops find themselves. Until two years ago, our troops could be sentinto combat at the will and discretion of the Department of Defense. As everyone sure knows by now multiple deployments are extracting a serious toll on our troops and their families. The following story will be one of several playing out in SW FL over this very special national holiday.
A US Army Specialist 1st Class back from Iraq contacted me about marrying her sweetheart over Memorial Day weekend who is returning from Iraq as well. She asked if Operation Open Arms could save her from a courthouse wedding. My first instinct was to ask her the following question. “If you had three wishes Christine, what would they be?” Her simple request actually brought tears to my eyes.
They were as follows:
1. A tent; 2. Flowers; 3. A honeymoon suite on Fort Myers Beach for five days. Mission Accomplished!
Two local organizations which hold our troops in the highest regard are Corvettes on the Gulf and The Cape Coral Tarpon Hunters Club. This marriage between two active duty U.S. Army soldiers will now take place before friends and family thanks to these great organizations. By the way, when an offer was made to make a country club available, the couple gracefully declined citing how simple their perspective on life really is after service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Without Ron Gagnon and Diane Michel of Corvettes on the Gulf and John Schleig and Capt Roy Bennett of the Cape Coral Tarpon Hunters Club, all of these dreams would have ended at the courthouse steps. On behalf of all U.S. Troops on their short combat leave in Southwest Florida and Operation Open Arms, we salute and honor everyone in your respective organizations. Your choice to make a difference instead of sitting comfortably on the sidelines earns you hero status in the eyes of Our Troops. Congratulations for making dreams come true.
And a special thanks to Norm Meshaw/USCG Master Captain.
Capt John “GiddyUp” Bunch
Founder/Operation Open Arms
501c3 IRS approved Public Charity