‘Marry Me Military’ event brings brides, grooms to USO

  • Published
  • By Amy Rollins
  • Skywrighter Staff
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OHIO -- Tears were flowing and more than 45 free wedding gowns were twirling March 18 at the USO Community Center, Bldg. 1222, Kittyhawk Center, Area A, during an inaugural “Marry Me Military” event. The dresses were donated by local and Cincinnati merchants to military members, regardless of rank, and dependents on retirees’ ID cards.

More than 130 people, along with 22 wedding goods and services vendors, attended, said Mia Walthers, USO Community Center manager, said some potential brides were in tears. Grooms in attendance were instructed not to look at the dress once a bride had made her selection.

“A lot of the girls already had been looking for a gown,” Walthers said. “To find a dress with a $1,000 price tag on it, that fit them perfectly and was exactly what they were looking for had brides giddy and jumping for joy. A couple of them broke down into tears that they could save that money to spend elsewhere or not spend it at all.”

Several of the USO volunteers also teared up during the emotional event.

A mother/daughter team – the mother active-duty – found perfect wedding dresses together, she said.

Walthers intends to repeat the event next spring, perhaps at a more public venue so that bridal couple members can have easier access. She gave the example of her son, who is deployed overseas. Without him present, his fiancée could not attend the event. Next year, such brides can show a copy of the fiance’s orders and obtain a gown.

“That way, the kids who are over there serving and facing combat, their fiancées can be given a gown,” Walthers said.

A limited number of the gowns that were not selected have been taken to the Airman’s Attic at the USO Community Center, for ranks E-1 through E-6. The attic is open when the center is open, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday; 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; and 12:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Walthers also hopes to offer donated tuxedos and/ or men’s suits at the 2018 Marry Me Military event.

“This year’s event was such a success, we want to expand it,” she said. “There were so many happy people.”