Wedding bells for departing soldiers

At the advise of their commander, five Army Reserve unit soldiers from Tinian took that big step and made their wedding vows before taking off for their scheduled deployment.

By doing so, this will ensure that the dependents of these reservists will be taken cared of and will receive the benefits due them, should something untoward happen to their husbands.

“What many people don’t know is that it is very difficult for the dependants of these soldiers to apply for benefits that is afforded to all military dependants if they are not married. It’s a long and difficult process, sometimes not coming out the way they have hoped, as apposed to being married prior to deployment,” said Joey Charfauros of the Tinian Mayor’s Office.

But as the soldiers said that evening, the wedding ceremony was a long time coming and why they put it off is one for debate. Some of them already have three to five children and have been with their girlfriends for more than 10 years, so as the women said, “It’s about time!,” although the circumstances leave very little to be desired.

With the wedding being held at Tinian’s JC Café, friends and family packed in for the very unique wedding, enjoying the ceremony and reception at the popular restaurant.

According to Capt. Franklin R. Babauta, who is the Company Commander of Company E, 100th Battalion 442nd Infantry, the unit is on “alert status,” which means to prepare the soldier, their family, and employer for the possibility of the reservists being mobilized.

The unit will go to Hawaii for their annual training. They will also undergo the Soldiers Readiness Process while in Hawaii. The members will return back to say goodbye to their loved ones and families before they go again in August for additional training before they get deployed into the theatre of operation in either Iraq or Afghanistan.

Some not well known facts about the unit, according to Babauta, is that it is the only Army Reserve Infantry Unit and is the most decorated unit during World War II.

Sen. Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii used to be with Company E, 442nd Infantry. The battalion is located in Hawaii with two companies in Samoa and Oahu.

Company E’s members are located on Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.

These are the sons of the Marianas and Babauta said he is very proud and honored to lead such an elite unit. He went on to say thanks to the soldiers for being part of his team.

“On behalf of [Tinian] Mayor Francisco M. Borja and the people of Tinian, best wishes and may God bless you and your family,” said Charfauros.