By Sgt. 1st Class Paul Tuttle

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – When couples take vows, usually both people pledge "I do;" however, only one made that promise during a ceremony on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, July 4.

Second Lt. Michael Davis re-enlisted his wife of 14 months, Staff Sgt. Heather Davis, under the hot Kuwaiti sun where they are deployed with the 640th Sustainment Brigade as a part of the Third Army (Forward) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The couple, of Philadelphia, Pa., chose Independence Day because of their decidedly patriotic twist.

"My sister calls me a patriotic princess because of everything I do," quipped Heather Davis, 29. "My favorite colors are red, white and blue and the décor in my home is Colonial American."

As further proof of this fondness, the Davises recalled they were married on Memorial Day.

"I've always been patriotic ever since I can remember," she explained about how they chose their wedding date. "What moved me the most was when I was four years old. I saw a fireworks display on the Fourth of July ... it was so moving at such a young age. I stood there and watched during the fireworks finale as thousands stood and sang 'Proud to be an American.'"

Staff Sgts. David Beaty of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Brian Faulkner from Bland, Va.,
watched from the side as the Davises recited the oath of re-enlistment.

They've known the Davises for a number of years, so they caught a bus to Camp Arifjan right after they got off work at 8:30 a.m. and traveled almost two hours to attend the ceremony.

"I've known Staff Sgt. Davis since 2003 when we deployed together," said Faulkner. "We were with the 444th Personnel Support Battalion based in Pittsburgh and were all over Iraq. We did redeployment missions together.

"I heard about this when I went to get Sgt. Beaty for chow last night about one o'clock in the morning," he said. "I said 'Hey, you wanna go?' So we did."

"I worked with Staff Sgt. Davis at the 99th (Regional Readiness Command in Pittsburgh, Pa.). I also worked with Lieutenant Davis. He was on the mobilization team when we mobilized together in 2003," Beaty said. "We've gone to baseball games to watch the Pittsburgh Pirates and taken little trips together. They're good folks and are very supportive of one another."

Michael Davis, also 29, felt the same.

"Soldiers are getting a fine NCO to re-enlist for another six years," he said. "This is a tremendous experience for us and I'm biased. This is my wife!"

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