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WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 22, 2008) - After matching servicemembers
re-entering the civilian work force with military friendly
employers, "Hire a Hero" is stepping outside its box and trying
some matchmaking of a different kind.
The troop-support organization has teamed with Dreamworks
Television and Mark Burnett Productions to help two deserving
military couples have their dream weddings. The gesture is a thank
you for their service and commitment to the country, according to
the Hire a Hero Web site.
"Providing something like this is just great," said Rob Barr, a
Hire a Hero representative. "It's showing support for the troops,
and it's kind of giving them hope that there are really people out
there that care."
The next step to helping two couples live happily ever after
begins at the Hire a Hero Web site. Military couples who plan on
marrying later this year can fill out the entry and share the
challenges they've faced while trying to plan a wedding with at
least one spouse serving their country.
Just the distance during a deployment, for example, can make
things nearly impossible, Barr said. Then the occasional tour
extension crops up and completely undoes what the couple may have
managed to get done.
"Little things like that," he said. "But they're also looking
for military spouses that just said, 'OK. You know what? We're
going to go to the courthouse, get married and have a wedding
later.'"
Once the midnight July 28 entry deadline passes, it's all up to
the Hollywood folks to choose the two lucky couples for the big
"Wedding Day" program that will air on a major TV network this
fall, Barr said, adding that he has no idea what's in store for the
couples chosen.
"They're kind of keeping that top secret information," he said.
"All I was told was that they're going to get ... to have their
dream wedding."
Barr said he thinks Hire a Hero was approached to help find
couples because of the group's involvement with helping former
"Apprentice" winner Kelly Perdew find applicants to be his
assistant.
"To my knowledge, I think they got our information from someone
... who said, 'Hey, use "Hire a Hero" to look for this kind of
person,'" he said.
Hire a Hero is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense
Department program connecting citizens and companies with
servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
Editor's Note: To find out about more individuals,
groups and organizations that are helping support the troops,
visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. America
Supports You directly connects military members to the support of
the America people and offers a tool to the general public in their
quest to find meaningful ways to support the military
community.
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