If you don't mind, I'll go ahead and post that wonderful picture you have on your terrific website right here:
Posted on 01/03/2006 3:05:26 PM PST by SandRat
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 2006 – Faith Jarvis, of Winston-Salem, N.C., traveled to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, in Tempe, Ariz., to try to do her bit to support the United Service Organizations, a charity that has supported America's servicemembers for generations.
She did help the USO, but Jarvis left with her own prize -- a diamond ring and a surprise reunion with her boyfriend-turned-fiancé, Army 1st Lt. Raymond Vera, a California National Guardsman with the 49th Military Police Brigade who has been serving in Iraq.
Jarvis attempted to throw a football through a target 15 yards away. If she made it, Tostitos would donate $100,000 to the USO. Then, a company representative told her, she would be able to speak to Vera via a satellite link. Her throw had the distance but was wide right. Tostitos still donated $25,000 to the USO.
Then Vera trotted out in a desert camouflage uniform and the two shared a tearful hug before Vera dropped to one knee.
"Faith, I love you with all my heart, and I want to ask you if you'll marry me," he said.
Jarvis was so overwhelmed, she could barely choke out, "Of course."
The surprise reunion and proposal was arranged through the Defense Department's America Supports You program, which works to highlight things corporations and private citizens do to support America's servicemembers. Many events to support the troops centered on the Fiesta Bowl.
A pre-game ceremony honored veterans who are students and graduates of the University of Notre Dame and Ohio State University, the two teams going head to head in the match-up.
Fans were treated to an F-16 flyover and a parachute arrival by the U.S. Air Force Wings of Blue demonstration team. They also saw a large American flag stretched across the field while U.S. Military Academy Cadet Glee Club, from West Point, N.Y., performed the National Anthem.
A few days earlier, on Dec. 31, volunteers from America Supports You and local school children joined members of "Packages From Home," a Glendale, Ariz., organization that provides care packages for military members, in a military tribute segment of the 2005 Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade, presented by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.
Welcome to Free Republic, Faith. Don't pay any attention to the cynics. Best wishes to you both.
Hi FWPatriot,
I was merely teasing you. My website is http://www.rayandfaith.com/inlove and I know that it took a lot for him to propose on live tv because he is the most quiet and most shy person you would ever meet. Thank you so much for the congratulations. I can't tell you just how happy I am that we are engaged.
And give your fiance a big hug from all of us who appreciate his service to this great country of ours!!!!
Wow! Congratulations to both of you, and may God bless and keep you!
Ain't love grand?! We live in such a great country where companies like Tostidos and organizations like USO can make these kinds of things happen for our good young people.
Yep! :-)
Love is grand, and I have finally updated my site as well. :-) http://www.rayandfaith.com/inlove Thanks again to everyone for making this possible.
Very nice. Please stay and participate in some of the Armed Forces threads on FR, Faith.
CFaith -- would love to see you in the Canteen, a daily thread here at FR where we honor our troops!!
Canteen Ping
Great story...thanks Star, for the ping!...and yes, congratulations!
BTTT
now you've done it!
My screen is all blurry!
God bless the happy couple!
Thanks for the PING, Star!
FAITH: Welcome to the hardest life you'll ever enjoy - Army Wife! You'll never have any regrets.
And what a wonderful family you guys will make.
I second Star's invitation, welcome to Free Republic!
But warning, y'all need a box of tissues!
Yes, Faith. The Canteen is the place you and your future husband, one of our heroes, should visit often.
Congrats to you both.
Go for it, Faith and Ray! Welcome to Free Republic.
Thanks for this happiest-of-all-possible-stories ping!
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