Soldier marries sweetheart via telephone from Iraq

Photo By Staff Sgt. Zachary Mott | Pfc. Donald Pope (right), a Daleville, Ala., native, says his vows to the former Laura Tomblin, of Tifton, Ga., during a wedding ceremony conducted via telephone from Forward Operating Base Callahan to Georgia, Sept. 12, 2008. Pope is a fire support specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. In attendance are Lt. Col. Michael Pappal (second from right), an Indiana, Pa., native, who commands 1-68 AR; Staff Sgt. Matthew Meyer, a Washington native, who serves as the fire and effects coordination cell non-commissioned officer in charge for 1-68 AR; and Chaplain Leonard Siems, battalion chaplain for 1-68 AR, along with many other well wishers.  

IRAQ

09.12.2008

Story by Sgt. Zachary Mott 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Sgt. Zach Mott
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE CALLAHAN, Iraq – Pfc. Donald Pope's Friday began in much the same way it has in his previous nine months in Iraq. He completed his shift in the tactical operations center, went to sleep and woke up to begin another shift that evening.

This mid-September day proved to be a bit different however. In fact, it is one that Pope, a Daleville, Ala., native, will remember forever.

"I woke up, got married and went to work," said the fire support specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

His matter of fact delivery of what many consider a defining day in their lives belies his true emotions, Sept. 12, 2008, as he stated his vows to the former Laura Tomblin, who stated her vows on the other end of a phone line in Georgia.

"I was nervous and frustrated," Pope said, from Forward Operating Base Callahan in northern Baghdad. "We had a tough time getting it set up."

The original plan was for the nuptials to be conducted via video teleconference, but with connectivity issues spoiling that method, other members of the Silver Lions stepped in to allow the wedding to continue.

Lt. Col. Michael Pappal, an Indiana, Pa., native who commands the 1-68 AR, and Maj. Rob MacMillan, operations officer for 1-68 AR, offered up a phone line for Pope to call his betrothed and conduct the ceremony.

Haywood Tomblin, Pope's soon-to-be father in law, officiated the ceremony in Georgia.

"This shows that a little piece of home can be brought to an area that you don't get a lot of that," said Staff Sgt. Thomas Huerta, a San Antonio native, who serves as a personnel non-commissioned officer with 1-68 AR and witnessed the ceremony.

After meeting more than four years ago, Pope and his new bride began dating shortly before he entered the Army two years ago. Marriage was discussed before Pope left for Iraq in December. The subject was again broached during his mid-tour leave this summer.

"We didn't want to wait any more," he said. "I love her, and she makes me happy – and she can actually put up with me."

Pope is scheduled to return to Fort Carson, Colo., in early 2009 after the Striker Brigade completes its 15-month tour in Iraq. Once home, he said the newlyweds are planning a renewal ceremony with family and friends in attendance.

"I didn't think I'd get married like this," Pope said.

• Date Taken: 09.12.2008
• Date Posted: 09.15.2008 13:48
• Story ID: 23692
• Location: IQ