Memorable moments to endure a lifetime

Photo By Staff Sgt. Matthew Winstead | After bringing Spc. Chloe Varnum to the middle of the empty dance floor, Sgt. Brian Pismeny asked his girlfriend of two years to become his wife during the 425th BSTB Ball. Her reply of "Yes" caused those attending to erupt in celebratory applause.  

ANCHORAGE, AK, UNITED STATES

10.06.2011

Story by Staff Sgt. Matthew Winstead 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division Public Affairs

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A celebration of marriage, a proposal and a first dance marked this year’s 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion Ball.

Typically, a military ball is a special event where family members and soldiers at all levels within the rank structure can come together and celebrate their accomplishments over the past year.

For three special couples the event was made even more momentous!

On Thursday Oct. 6, they chose the annual Ball amongst friends and fellow soldiers as the perfect opportunity to mark special moments in their own lives.

Shortly after the official portion of the evening Spc. Anthony Couch, a training room assistant assigned to Charlie Company, 425 BSTB took to the dance floor for the first dance of the evening with his new bride Christy Couch, a paralegal from North Carolina, who flew in under the assumption she was just going to be Anthony’s date for the evening.

The couple had been dating off and on for years and decided to get married at 08:45 the morning of the ball. They were married by Army First Sgt. Brandon Dimick, from Charlie Company.

Mid way through the evening a second couple took to the floor. To the applause of everyone in the room, Army Sgt. Brian Pismeny proposed to his long time girlfriend Army Spc. Chloe Varnum. The attending guests stood and cheered as the presiding commanders at the head table beamed with pride over their soldiers.

"We are here to keep traditions alive," said Col. Morris T. Goins, the brigade commander for 4-25th ABCT shortly after the proposal. "Despite the strenuous requirements of an impending deployment, we have remembered our traditions tonight."

A third couple gained the attention and praise of the crowd when they announced that they were about to celebrate their first official dance since their marriage back in October of 2008. Army Spc. Timothy Flournoy, a driver for the brigade commander, and his wife Marlena Rae Flournoy danced to Journey as friends and co-workers celebrated the joyous occasion.

"This has been a great year for us," said Flournoy. "Our daughter, Sydney Rae Flournoy, was born in April of this year and we finally got our first dance tonight!"

The remaining evening had its share of heartfelt moments, but the three shining stars kept the morale and festive spirits higher than the rest. As the official portion ended and the colors were retired for the night, paratroopers and couples remained to dance and socialize amidst a positive feeling of unity and celebration.

There was no further requirement to stay, but like a family gathered for a holiday, many did.

• Date Taken: 10.06.2011
• Date Posted: 10.21.2011 17:09
• Story ID: 78821
• Location: ANCHORAGE, AK, US